Contribution to the SDGs

What the SDGs mean to Yakult

Our passion for and approach to health can be traced back to our founder’s wish to protect the health of people around the world. Yakult engages in business activities based on our corporate philosophy, expressed as: “We contribute to the health and happiness of people around the world through pursuit of excellence in life science in general and our research and experience in microorganisms in particular.” We see these activities as contributing to Goal 3, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yakult’s founder, Minoru Shirota, a doctor of medicine, began his medical studies in 1921. At the time, unsanitary conditions caused large numbers of children to die of infectious diseases in Japan. Under the circumstances, Dr. Shirota set his sights on the field of preventive medicine, which aims to help people avoid sickness rather than treating diseases after they occur. After years of microorganism research, Dr. Shirota strengthened and cultured Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. Together with like-minded individuals, he then developed an inexpensive, delicious drink so that many people could benefit from Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. This is how Yakult was born.

Yakult products are not just sold in stores but, since our founding, are also delivered door-to-door to homes and other locations. This approach of reaching out directly to customers is rooted in Dr. Shirota’s principles of emphasizing the dissemination of information about preventive medicine and the idea that a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life, as well as the value he placed on sincerity, gratitude and harmonious human relations.

The SDGs were established as goals to be achieved by 2030 so that humanity can continue living on Earth. “Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere” is identified as the most important goal, and “leave no one behind” is the central promise of the SDGs.

The foundational philosophy of Yakult and our belief that “in order for people to be healthy, everything around them must also be healthy” are perfectly matched with the aims of the SDGs, so it is a matter of course for us to strive to achieve those goals. Yakult will thus continue working to create a society where humans can live in harmony with the planet, based on our goal of uniting “People and Planet as One.”

Philosophy

We contribute to the
health and happiness of
people around the world
through pursuit of
excellence
in life science in general and our research and
experience in
microorganisms in
particular.

Thoughts of founder
Minoru Shirota

The SDGs aim to realize a society in which the pledge to “leave no one behind”, so as not to exceed the limits of the earth and to eliminate poverty.

The Yakult Group’s philosophy and corporate activities are associated with the SDGs concept and Goal 3.

The Yakult Group’s contributions to the SDGs

The Yakult Group’s corporate activities are broadly related to all 17 SDGs, but based on our materiality we have identified the below eight goals as being most closely connected to our business. Moving forward, the entire Yakult Group will continue contributing to achieving the SDGs.

Materiality of the Yakult Group

Innovation

In keeping with its mission to contribute to the health of people around the world, the Yakult Group will continue to use its research findings and long experience with lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms and pursue new possibilities through collaboration with outside resources to provide products and services that lead to solutions for health and social issues.

Value co-creation
with communities

We will maintain respect for the cultures and customs in each region where we operate and contribute to the creation of safe, secure and healthy communities, engaging in dialogue with local communities about their own unique issues and proactively working toward solutions.

Supply chain management

A sustainable supply chain is essential in creating high-quality products that are safe and reliable. We will visualize our corporate social responsibilities, taking specific actions in the supply chain in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption.

Climate change

To address the many issues caused by climate change, such as resource depletion and natural disasters, we will promote energy conservation and proactively utilize renewable energy, as well as reduce our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain.

Plastic containers and packaging

On issues related to plastic waste and resource recycling, we will reduce the amount of plastic used in containers and packaging, transition to easily recyclable materials, and promote the reuse and recycling of plastic packaging materials used in production processes.

Water

To tackle issues such as water inequality and water-related disasters, we will manage water risks at our production bases, strive to reduce water usage, and promote both conservation and sustainable use of water resources.

Yakult Group Materiality

The SDGs to which Yakult is contributing to through its business activities

Business activity	Related SDGs	Specific initiatives
R&D We undertake research to realize the concepts of preventive medicine and the idea that a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life, and are applying research results in the development of food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 10	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Disclosure of research results Online corporate visit program for junior high and high school students Product safety evaluation at the product development and post-marketing stages Product safety assurance by analysis and testing Reliability assurance by auditing of research data Joint research with universities, hospitals and research institutes Sponsorship of academic conferences and symposiums Thorough management of chemical substances by research institute internal committee activities, etc. Strengthening of measures to prevent leakage of information by building a robust system and collaborating with external service providers
Business activity	Procurement We procure raw materials such as skim milk powder, sugar and packaging materials through fair trade. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 11	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Selection of sound business partners Prior consultation and credit checks for new business partners Conclusion of contracts (including clauses regarding excluding antisocial forces) Verification of financial status of business partners Promotion of fair trade Implementation of an evaluation system for business partners Stable procurement of raw materials Purchasing from multiple business partners (suppliers) and appropriate stock management Promotion of business continuity planning (BCP) measures Promotion of sustainable procurement Risk assessment using CSR procurement survey and Sedex platform, interviews with business partners Formulation of Supplier CSR Guidelines Hosting CSR procurement policy briefings for suppliers Traceability survey of key raw materials
Business activity	Production We use finite resources efficiently and employ environmentally conscious methods to manufacture high-quality products that are safe and offer peace of mind to customers. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 12	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Reduction in occupational accidents Health and safety education and health and safety inspection tours Continuous capital investment to create a working environment where everyone can work in a healthy and safe manner Promotion of energy saving, waste reduction and recycling Reduction in CO₂ emissions and energy consumption by introducing highly efficient facilities and equipment, improved workflows, LEDs and solar power Waste reduction and appropriate disposal Proper management of wastewater and reduced water usage Establishment of a risk management system Establishment of a system to enable production to continue and a fast recovery in the event of a disaster Establishment and occasional review of BCP and disaster preparedness manual Installation of earthquake early warning systems to achieve fast initial response Understanding of environmental impacts and risks Implementation of water risk surveys Implementation of biodiversity risk surveys
Business activity	Logistics By ensuring eco-driving (fuel-efficient driving) and choosing delivery methods that have reduced environmental impacts, we are reducing the amount of CO₂ emissions deriving from product shipments. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 13	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Promotion of collaboration with other companies in the same industry Promotion of collaboration with other companies at distribution centers and in transportation to mass retailers to reduce energy consumption and costs Promotion of day-to-day efficiency Introduction of a system to visualize vehicle load factor and achieve a higher load factor by allocating vehicles appropriately, using two-temperature-zone transportation Promotion of eco-driving by using terminals in logistics company trucks Switch to eco-friendly vehicles and reduction in empty transportation zones
Business activity	Sales We provide customers with not only products but also accurate product information and health tips. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 14	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Dispatch of lecturers for children Health-related lectures for customers and businesses Disclosure of information on our website Health-related campaigns Value dissemination activities at stores Assisting support facilities for persons with disabilities Diversification of ordering methods using Yakult Delivery Net Increased customer satisfaction by introducing cashless payment Provision of learning content for a Yakult Ladies online training site Provision of health information through a website offering useful information for Yakult Ladies Provision of basic, delivery-related advice regarding such items as traffic safety, product temperature control, and personal appearance through a magazine for Yakult Ladies

Raising awareness of the SDGs

Initiatives inside the Group

We conduct ongoing awareness programs for workers so that they can see the essence of the SDGs and take personal responsibilities themselves.
In 2018, we created posters showing the connection between the activities at each stage of the Yakult Group’s business operations and the SDGs in nine languages (Japanese, English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Spanish and Portuguese).
In addition, the Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct were revised in April 2020 to include the SDGs related to each item of the Code of Conduct, in order to show workers that their thoughts and actions when properly carrying out corporate activities directly lead to the Group’s CSR as well as contribute to achieving the SDGs.
We have also implemented a Yakult Sustainability Campaign targeting all workers since fiscal 1994.

And in 2022, as part of the companywide Yakult Sustainability Campaign, we invited workers to choose from one of the eight SDGs that are particularly relevant to the Yakult Group and to submit a personal SDGs action declaration to contribute to the goal’s achievement through their own work.

For details about our 2022 initiatives, see Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 15.

Initiatives outside the Group

In February 2019, out of the 17 SDGs we presented our initiatives related to Goal 3 on health and exchanged views with about 30 students from 11 countries who were delegates of the Japan-ASEAN Students Conference (JENESYS 2018), an exchange program aiming to promote understanding of Japan run by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Yakult Group Honored with the special SDGs Partnership Award at the second Japan SDGs Awards

Organized by the government's SDGs Promotion Headquarters, the second Japan SDGs Awards were held on December 21, 2018. The Yakult Group was presented the special “SDGs Partnership Award” for our contribution to achieving Goal 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” through our everyday activities.

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