Toyota's top female exec resigns after arrest in Japan - The Detroit News
Tokyo — Julie Hamp, Toyota’s most senior female executive, has resigned following her arrest in Japan on suspicion of drug law violations, the automaker said Wednesday. Hamp tendered her resignation through her attorneys on Tuesday, and Toyota Motor Corp. Hamp, a 55-year-old American who was Toyota’s newly appointed head of public relations, was arrested on June 18 on suspicion of importing oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer, into Japan. Toyota declined to disclose other details, noting the investigation was ongoing. Hamp, who previously worked for Toyota’s U. S. operations, remains in custody and has not been available for comment. Police raided Toyota’s headquarters in Toyota City in central Japan and its offices in Tokyo and Nagoya five days after her arrest. Her appointment in April had been highlighted by Toyota as a step toward promoting diversity. Toyota reiterated Wednesday that it remains committed to diversity. But it acknowledged in a statement that it still needs to become “a truly global company,” noting that Hamp’s appointment had been a “big step” for the company. Toyota President Akio Toyoda has said the company should have helped Hamp more in settling into her job in Japan. Source: www.detroitnews.com
