India Yakult Danone Private Limited

Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria, useful for maintaining health (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota).

Yakult is manufactured and introduced to the market.

Local offices of the Association for Promotion of Preventive Bacteria Strain Shirota are established in various parts of Japan for the purpose of marketing and distributing Yakult.

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is established (Nishi Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).

Research Institute is established in Kyoto.

Yakult launches its unique Yakult Lady home delivery system.

Yakult Taiwan Co., Ltd. begins operations as the company’s first overseas operation base.

Research institute is established in Kunitachi, Tokyo (later known as Yakult Central Institute).

The company takes over the management of the Sankei Atoms baseball team (now the Tokyo Yakult Swallows).

Yakult is introduced to the market in a new plastic container.

The company begins the full-scale sale of cosmetics.

New head office building is completed in Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Program of regular visits to senior citizens by Yakult Ladies begins.

Biolactis Capsules ethical drug is introduced to the healthcare industry, thereby marking Yakult’s entrance into the pharmaceutical business.

Yakult Seichoyaku intestinal regulator, an over-the-counter medicine, is introduced to the healthcare industry.

Company stocks are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Yakult Bioscience Research Foundation is established.

The manufacture of irinotecan hydrochloride, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, is approved, and the drug is introduced to the healthcare industry under the brand name of Campto.

The company receives the Minister for Health and Welfare Award for distinguished volunteer service in recognition program of the regular visits to senior citizens.

The company receives the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award (in the Consumer Division) at the Excellent Corporations of Food Industry Awards.

Yakult is approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.

Bansoreicha is introduced to the market.

Entered into a strategic alliance with Groupe Danone.

Research center is established in Europe (Belgium).

The name of Yakult’s brand of cosmetics is changed to Yakult Beautiens.

Our new corporate slogan is decided: In order for people to be healthy, everything around them must also be healthy.

Yakult receives a 2008 Good Design Long Life Design Award (G-Mark).

Yakult starts business in India