Key Facts
• Takeshi Niinami resigned as Suntory HD Chairman on September 1, 2025.
• Niinami apologized during a press conference on September 3, 2025, in Tokyo.
• He is under police investigation for purchasing a supplement with suspected illegal ingredients.
• Niinami claims the supplement was legally purchased in the U.S. in April 2025.
• The product was reportedly discarded before reaching Japan.
• Niinami denies possession or use of the supplement in Japan.
• Economic policy roles, including in the Economic and Fiscal Policy Council, are under review.
• Japan Tobacco Chairman Mutsuo Iwai will temporarily assume Niinami’s duties at the Japan Association of Corporate Executives.
• The association’s ethics committee will decide Niinami’s status by the end of September 2025.
• Suntory HD accepted Niinami’s resignation, citing concerns over his judgment.
• Niinami stated he acted to avoid further harm to the company.
Summary
Takeshi Niinami, former Chairman of Suntory Holdings, resigned on September 1, 2025, amid a police investigation into his purchase of a supplement suspected of containing illegal ingredients. At a press conference on September 3, Niinami apologized and maintained his innocence, stating the product was legally purchased in the U.S. and discarded before entering Japan. He emphasized that he neither possessed nor used the supplement domestically. Niinami’s roles in economic policy and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives are under review, with a decision on his status expected by the end of September. Suntory HD accepted his resignation, citing concerns over his judgment. Niinami expressed regret and stated his decision was made to prevent further harm to the company.
