Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.

The founder of Yakult, Minoru Daita, began his medical career in 1921. At that time, Japan had many children who lost their lives due to infectious diseases because of poor sanitation.

Daita aimed for 'preventive medicine' to avoid illness rather than treat it after contracting it, and conducted research on microorganisms, creating the 'Lactic Acid Bacteria Shirota Strain'.

To have as many people as possible consume this lactic acid bacteria, he and his colleagues commercialized it as an affordable and delicious lactic acid bacteria beverage, leading to the birth of the current 'Yakult'.

Founder Minoru Daita succeeded in strengthening and cultivating lactic acid bacteria beneficial for human health (Lactic Acid Bacteria Shirota Strain)

Started manufacturing and selling Yakult in Fukuoka

Established 'Daita Protection Bacteria Promotion Association' for sales nationwide

Established Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. in Nishi-Yachōbori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Established a research institute in Kyoto

Introduced Yakult's unique women's sales system

Taiwan Yakult began operations as the first overseas office

Established a research institute in Kunitachi, Tokyo (later the Central Research Institute)

Inherited the management of Sankei Atoms (now Yakult Swallows baseball team)

Launched 'Yakult' in a new plastic container

Launched fermented milk 'Joie'

Started full-scale sales of cosmetics

Completed the company headquarters building in Higashi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Started 'Love Visit Activities' by Yakult Ladies

Launched the medical drug "Biolact Capsule" and entered the pharmaceutical business

Launched the Bifidobacterium yogurt "Mirumiru"

Launched the over-the-counter drug "Yakult Digestive Medicine"

Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Launched "Toughman"

Designated for listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Launched the "Libesii S.E." series

Established the Yakult BioScience Research Foundation

The anticancer drug irinotecan received manufacturing approval and was launched. Product name "Campto Injection"

The "Love Visit Activity" was awarded the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare commendation as a volunteer achievement

Launched the new high-end skincare series "Parabio"

Received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the Food Industry Excellent Company Awards (Consumer Response Division)

Yakult was permitted to display as a "Specified Health Food"

Launched "Yakult Banso Reicha"

Launched "Yakult 400"

Signed a strategic alliance agreement with Groupe Danone

Established a research base in Europe (Belgium)

The anticancer drug oxaliplatin received import approval and was launched. Product name "Eloxatin"

Yakult cosmetics business brand was named "Yakult Beautiens"

Yakult received the 2008 Good Design Long Life Design Award (G-mark)

Registration of a three-dimensional trademark for Yakult container shape

「カンプト」が日本癌学会の学術賞を受賞

Launch of Yakult Space Discovery project

Lactic acid bacteria Shirota strain received GRAS certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Termination of strategic alliance agreement with Danone and signing of memorandum on collaboration

Launch of New Yakult and New Yakult Calorie Half

Completion of new Central Research Institute

Launch of Delicious Fermented Fruit of Yakult nationwide

Received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for Yakult Lady home delivery service at the 2nd Japan Service Awards

Received Special Award (SDGs Partnership Award) at the 2nd Japan SDGs Award

The world's dairy product daily average sales volume exceeds 40 million bottles (FY2019)

Launch of Yakult 1000 in the Kanto 7 prefectures

Relocation of headquarters to Minato Ward, Tokyo

Launch of Yakult 1000 nationwide

Formulation of Yakult Group Environmental Vision

Formulation of long-term vision Yakult Group Vision 2030

Launch of Yakult 400W nationwide

Launch of Y1000

Transition to Prime Market due to reorganization of the Tokyo Stock Exchange market segments

Yakult 1000 selected as one of the top ten in the 2022 New Words and Buzzwords Award by Gendai Yōgo no Kiso Chishiki (Basic Knowledge of Modern Terms) Yu-Can

Launch of pet products using Yakult's proprietary galacto-oligosaccharides

First selection as a

Launched three products under the 'Soy Milk Power' brand, making a full-scale entry into the plant-based food market

Limited regional release of 'Yakult 1000 Low Sugar'

Certified for 8 consecutive years as a 'Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization - White 500'

The 'Yakult' brand was recognized by Guinness World Records™ as the 'Largest Lactobacillus Drink/Lactic Acid Bacteria Drink Brand (Latest Annual Sales 2024)'

Received the 'Brand of the Year' award at the World Branding Awards for 9 consecutive years