Former American Toyota Motor Corp executive, Julie Hamp, has been released from a Tokyo police facility where she was being detained on suspicion of importing 57 pills of oxycodone, a pain killer, which is illegal in Japan, but legal in the U.S.

55-year-old Julie Hamp, who in April became the highest female ranking executive in Toyota when she was appointed as the company's global communications chief, was released on Wednesday. Last week, Hamp officially resigned from her position following her arrest on June 18. She reportedly began working with Toyota's North American outfit in 2012 before being transferred to Japan.

Like Us on Facebook

According to Reuters, Hamp was released without charges because prosecutors took "social penalty" into consideration since she has already resigned from Toyota.

Other legal experts believe that prosecutors did not press charges because they could deduce little criminal intent in the case. Hamp was arrested after Japanese authorities discovered that her father mailed her oxycodone pills from the U.S. to a Tokyo hotel.

Sakae Komori, a lawyer well versed in Japan's drug-related cases, says it's difficult to determine why the prosecutors did not press charges against Hamp as suspects caught with smaller amount of the same drug have been formally charged.

"This is seen as a very serious crime in Japan," Komori told ABC. He said prosecutors may have arrived at the decision not to press charges in order not be viewed as being too harsh and unfair.

"Perhaps the authorities see her as already facing enough social punishment, and she was not judged a drug abuser."

The pills, which Hamp says she uses as painkillers for her knees, are strictly regulated and prohibited in Japan. Authorities found them in a parcel labeled "necklaces" at the bottom of an imported box along with other packets.

Hamp was the first foreign executive relocated to Tokyo in June as part of a highly publicized move by Toyota to diversify its executive body, which mostly comprises of Japanese males.

The company released a statement on Wednesday apologizing for any confusion and embarrassment that Hamp's arrest may have caused. Toyota assured the general public that the company is still committed to being a global brand willing to employ the most qualified people for the right positions regardless of their nationality or gender.

Toyota also announced that Shigeru Hayakawa, a board member and Senior Managing Officer, would replace Hamp as head of global communication.

Akio Toyoda, Toyota's President, had initially defended Hamp, saying during a televised news conference that she was a 'friend' and a very important member of the company. He raised doubts that she would have knowingly imported an illegal pill into Japan.

Toyota later denied knowledge of Hamp's plans and her whereabouts. Three of the company's offices, including its headquarters in Toyota City, were raided by authorities as part of investigation relating to Hamp's arrest.

TagsToyota, Julie Hamp, oxycodone, Shigeru Hayakawa