Toyota's highest ranking woman executive until her arrest in Japan on suspicion of drug law violations was released from custody without charges yesterday. Julie Hamp, 55, who resigned last week from Toyota Motor Corp., was arrested June 18 on suspicion of importing oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer. The drug is tightly controlled in Japan. She emerged from a Tokyo police building where she'd been detained looking solemn and tired. She was whisked away in a minivan. Hamp, an American, 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. Prosecutors said yesterday that she arranged with her father to have 57 oxycodone pills sent air mail from the U.S. to a Tokyo hotel in June. They said this act was importation of a narcotic but decided not to pursue charges. Japanese prosecutors are not obligated to publicly explain the reasons for their decisions. Legal experts say that a show of remorse and first-time offenders tend to win some leniency. Bringing in such a tightly controlled drug is a serious crime in Japan, often resulting in charges. Toyota named a replacement for Hamp on Wednesday, tapping Shigeru Hayakawa, a senior managing officer and board member. Hayakawa, who joined Toyota in 1977, has experience in the company's U.S. operations and is a communications veteran at the company. Toyota reiterated its apology for the "confusion and concerns" Hamp's arrest might have caused. It again promised to promote qualified people, regardless of nationality, gender and age, as Toyota continues its efforts "to become a truly global company." Toyota President Akio Toyoda has defended Hamp, calling her an important member of the Toyota team. Company officials said they did not know her whereabouts or her plans. Toyoda has acknowledged the company likely should have done more to help with her relocation as the first foreign executive to be permanently stationed in Japan.
Her arrest, a big embarrassment for Toyota, highlights missteps in its effort to diversify and become more international in its corporate culture. Toyota's top executives are predominantly Japanese males, although some progress has been made in recent years to promote foreigners. Hamp was the first high-profile woman promotion.
