The CEO of Japanese spirits giant Suntory who resigned over a drugs probe said Wednesday he was innocent, and that he was recommended cannabidiol to cope with his hard travel schedule.

Takeshi Niinami, one of Japan's best-known business people, quit this week after he was put under investigation regarding his involvement in supplements sent from the United States to Japan.

"I have not broken the law and consider myself innocent," Niinami told a press conference.

The 66-year-old said he believed he bought products with the active ingredient cannabidiol, or CBD, that do not break Japan's strict drug law.

"I travel frequently for work, so I suffer terribly from jet lag," said Niinami who has served as an economic adviser to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

"That's why my acquaintance... st

See Full Page