Takeshi Niinami, a corporate maverick who seldom missed a chance to poke at Japan’s business establishment, has resigned as Suntory Holdings Inc.’s chief executive officer after his home was searched for illegal drugs.

“The entire company will work together to regain trust,” Suntory president Nobuhiro Torii said at a hastily arranged news conference to announce the resignation. Torii declined to comment on the legality of what he described as supplements found in the former CEO’s home, citing the ongoing investigation. Niinami didn’t attend the briefing.

Police were investigating Niinami, 66, on suspected violation of the country’s strict cannabis laws, the Tokyo Shimbun reported earlier Tuesday. Niinami denied the allegations, it said. He’s not yet made any public statements on the matt

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