Arrested Toyota exec steps down

Toyota's first female managing officer has resigned after being arrested last month on suspicion of illegally importing the painkiller oxycodone into Japan.

The Japanese car-maker today said Julie Hamp, who became Toyota's global communications chief in April and remains in police custody in Japan after her arrest on June 18, notified the company of her intention to step down.

Toyota said it had accepted Hamp's resignation after "considering the concerns and inconvenience that recent events have caused our stakeholders".

Hamp is yet to be charged and under Japanese law but can remain in detention for up to 20 days after her arrest.

She was arrest 13 days ago after Japanese customs officials found oxycodone tablets in a parcel shipped to her from the US.

Oxycodone is a prescription drug in both Japan and the US. It requires approval from the government before it can be brought into Japan and must be carried by the individual.

Japanese drug laws ban some medications commonly available as prescription medications in other countries and jail time for possession of illegal narcotics such as cocaine or methamphetamine are not uncommon.

If Hamp is found guilty of importing the painkillers, she could face one to 10 years in a Japanese prison, or be deported.

According to the police, Hamp said she did not think she had imported an illegal substance.

Japan’s national broadcaster NHK reported that 57 tablets containing the painkiller oxycodone were found last week in the bottom of a package mailed to herself from Kentucky, declaring the contents to be a necklace.

In a press conference following her arrest at a Tokyo hotel, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda said he believed she had not intended to break the law.

"We sincerely apologise for causing so much trouble," he said at the time. "I believe in her and will support the ongoing investigations to the best of my ability.”

Hamp, 55, was promoted in March to head of communications for the car-maker after joining Toyota's Motor Sales in the US in 2012 and relocating to Tokyo in June, The New York native previously held senior positions at Pepsi Co and General Motors.

Hamp was appointed managing officer as part of a drive to diversify Toyota's male-dominated, mostly Japanese executive line-up.

Toyota said Senior Managing Officer Shigeru Hayakawa will take over Hamp's duties until a replacement is appointed.

It declined to give further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

"We remain firmly committed to putting the right people in the right places, regardless of nationality, gender, age and other factors," Toyota said in a statement today.