American Toyota exec released from custody in Japan
American Toyota Julie Hamp executive who was arrested in Japan in June on suspicion of drug law violations is expected to be released Wednesday, July 8, 2015 without being prosecuted, according to Kyodo News service. Kyodo did not identify the source of its information. Tokyo prosecutors declined to comment Tuesday, July 7. Toyota Motor Corp. said it had no information.
TOKYO >> Toyota’s highest ranking woman executive until her arrest in Japan on suspicion of drug law violations has been released from custody.
Japanese media reports say Julie Hamp will not face charges. The American was released Wednesday.
Hamp resigned last week from Toyota Motor Corp.
She was arrested June 18 on suspicion of bringing oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer, into Japan. The drug is tightly controlled in Japan.
Hamp, 55, was appointed three months ago as the head of public relations at the Japanese automaker, in a high-profile move that was highlighted by the Japanese automaker as promoting diversity.
Police say the drug was founded in a package that was mailed to her from the U.S. She was arrested at a Tokyo hotel where she had been staying.
