Yakult

History

1930
  • Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria, useful for maintaining health
    (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota*).
    *Classified as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota since April 2020.
1935
  • Yakult is manufactured and introduced to the market.
1940
  • 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.
1955
  • Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is established (Nishi Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).
  • Research Institute is established in Kyoto.
1963
  • Yakult launches its unique Yakult Lady home delivery system.
1964
  • Yakult Taiwan Co., Ltd. begins operations as the company’s first overseas operation base.
1967
  • Research institute is established in Kunitachi, Tokyo (later known as Yakult Central Institute).
1968
  • 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.
1970
  • Joie fermented milk is introduced to the market.
1971
  • The company begins the full-scale sale of cosmetics.
1972
  • New head office building is completed in Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
  • Program of regular visits to senior citizens by Yakult Ladies begins.
1975
  • Biolactis Capsules ethical drug is introduced to the healthcare industry, thereby marking Yakult's entrance into the pharmaceutical business.
1978
  • Mil-Mil bifidobacteria-fermented milk is introduced to the market.
1979
  • Yakult Seichoyaku intestinal regulator,an over-the-counter medicine,is introduced to the healthcare industry.
1980
  • Company stocks are listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • Toughman is introduced to the market.
1981
  • Company stocks are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1989
  • Revecy S.E. Series is introduced to the market.
1992
  • Yakult Bioscience Research Foundation is established.
1994
  • 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.
1995
  • Parabio Series premium-quality skincare product line is introduced to the market.
1997
  • The company receives the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award (in the Consumer Division) at the Excellent Corporations of Food Industry Awards.
1998
  • Yakult is approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.
  • Yakult Bansoreicha is introduced to the market.
1999
  • Yakult 400 fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.
2004
  • Entered into a strategic alliance with Groupe Danone.
2005
  • Research center is established in Europe (Belgium).
  • Oxaliplatin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, is approved under the name of Elplat.
2006
  • The name of Yakult’s brand of cosmetics is changed to Yakult Beautiens.
2008
  • Yakult receives a 2008 Good Design Long Life Design Award (G-Mark).
2011
  • The three-dimensional trademark for Yakult containers is recognized.
  • Campto wins the Science Award from the Japanese Cancer Association.
2012
  • Yakult launches Yakult Space Discovery Project.
2013
  • Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota obtains GRAS Certification from the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
  • Yakult and Danone terminate strategic alliance agreement and sign a memorandum of cooperation.
  • New Yakult and New Yakult Calorie Half are introduced to the market.
2016
  • Construction of the new Yakult Central Institute is completed.
2018
  • National release of Yakult no Oishii Hakko Kajitsu.
  • The company receives the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for home delivery service by Yakult Ladies at the second Nihon Service Award.
  • The company receives the Special Award (SDGs Partnership Award) at the second Japan SDGs Award.
2019
  • The average number of dairy products the company sells globally exceeds 40 million bottles a day (financial results for the fiscal year ended March 2019).
  • Yakult 1000 is launched in the seven prefectures of the Kanto region.
2020
  • The head office is relocated to Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
2021
  • Yakult 1000 is introduced throughout Japan.
  • Yakult Group Environmental Vision is formulated.
  • Long-term vision Yakult Group Vision 2030 is formulated.
  • Yakult 400W is launched nationwide in Japan.
  • Y1000 is launched.
2022
  • The company's shares are listed on Prime Market following the reorganization of stock market categories by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • Yakult 1000 is selected as one of the U-Can top 10 buzzwords for 2022 by Gendai yōgo no kiso chishiki (Basic Knowledge on Contemporary Terminology).
2023
  • The company is certified as a White 500 Health and Productivity Management Organization for 6 consecutive years.
  • Launch of products for companion animals (pets) using Yakult's unique galacto-oligosaccharide
  • The company receives the Brand of the Year for its Yakult brand at the World Branding Awards for 7 consecutive years.
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