Toyota exec resigns following drug accusations - USA TODAY

TOKYO — Two weeks after her arrest on suspicion of illegally importing prescription drugs into Japan, Toyota's global communications chief is still in jail — and out of a job. Toyota said in a statement that it "accepted her resignation after considering the concerns and inconvenience that recent events have caused our stakeholders. The move comes amid speculation that Hamp may face prison time in Japan, where stiff drug laws prohibit foreigners from importing prescription drugs without significant documentation. Her resignation may have been inevitable, said Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies, at Temple University's Japan Campus. "In most (Japanese) companies, executives who are arrested will resign, or at least go on leave until the case is resolved," Dujarric said. Toyota had publicly defended Hamp, with President Akio Toyoda holding a televised press conference in June to declare her "a close friend" and an "invaluable" part of the company. "Because the investigation of Ms. Hamp is ongoing, there is little Toyota can say at this time," the company said. Source: www.usatoday.com