Toyota's Top Female Exec Quits After Drug Arrest

American was accused of smuggling painkiller to Japan
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 1, 2015 4:35 AM CDT
Toyota's Top Female Exec Quits After Drug Arrest
This undated handout photo released by Toyota Motor Corp. shows Julie Hamp, who was arrested on June 18, 2015, on suspicion of drug law violations.   (Toyota Motor Corp. via AP)

Toyota says Julie Hamp, who was arrested in Japan last month on suspicion of drug law violations, has resigned as managing officer. The 55-year-old American became the most senior female executive ever at the Japanese automaker when she was appointed head of public relations in April, but things went wrong while she was still in the process of moving her things to Tokyo. She was arrested June 18 on suspicion of importing the painkiller oxycodone into Japan and is still in police custody, although she hasn't been charged. Toyota says it remains "firmly committed to putting the right people in the right places" and doesn't believe Hamp meant to break the law, reports Reuters. (More Toyota stories.)

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