Kobayashi Pharma Chairman, President Step Down Over “Benikoji” Red Rice Mold Issue; Senior Executive Yamane Becomes First Non-Family Company President

Resigning Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. President Akihiro Kobayashi, second from left, speaks at a press conference in March.
14:02 JST, July 23, 2024
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co.’s Senior Executive Director Satoshi Yamane has been promoted to the post of company president after its chairman and president resigned to take responsibility for health problems caused by the company’s supplements containing “benikoji” red rice mold.
The appointment of Yamane, 64, and the resignations of Chairman Kazumasa Kobayashi, 84, and President Akihiro Kobayashi, 53, were approved at a special meeting of the board of directors on Tuesday morning.
After stepping down as chairman, Kazumasa will become a special adviser. After leaving his post as a director without representative rights, Akihiro will concentrate on dealing with a series of problems and establishing compensation for those harmed by the supplement.
Until now, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has always been headed by a member of the company’s founding family, so Yamane will be the first non-founder to serve as president of the company.
"Business" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan Oct.-Dec. GDP Revised Down to 2.2 Pct Annual Rise
-
150,000 Tons of Rice Released from Japan’s Stockpile to Douse Prices, After Tokyo Prices Hit All-time High
-
Japan to Promote Solar Power Consolidation; Feed-In Tariff System to be Phased out from 2032
-
Tokyo Core Consumer Prices Up 2.2% in Feb.
-
Japan, U.K. Likely to Reaffirm Energy Cooperation at 2+2 Talks; 1st Economic 2+2 Talks Between the Countries
JN ACCESS RANKING