History
A healthy life for all
Today, Yakult is loved not just in Japan, but in many countries and regions around the world.
The story of how Yakult became what it is today began with one young man and his heartfelt wish.
This passion of Yakult’s founder, Minoru Shirota, is still with the company today and continues to form the foundation of all Yakult’s business activities.
Yakult’s Beginnings
From the pursuit of preventive medicine to the potential of microorganisms
Yakult was born out of the passion of the company’s founder, Dr. Minoru Shirota.
In the early part of the 20th century when Dr. Shirota was a young man, many people in Japan taken by infectious diseases like cholera and dysentery owing to poor hygiene and nutrition at the time. Disturbed by this reality, the young Shirota pursued a career in medicine and entered Kyoto Imperial University (now Kyoto University) in 1921. From there the young scientist turned his attention to preventive medicine, which places evidence not on treating illnesses, but on trying to prevent them. This was his gateway to the research of microorganisms.
After painstaking research Dr. Shirota discovered that lactic acid bacteria suppress harmful bacteria in the intestines. In 1930 he successfully cultured a fortified strain of lactic acid bacteria robust enough to survive the powerful gastric juices and bile in the digestive system, reach the intestines alive, and produce beneficial effects. That strain of lactic acid bacteria is now known as Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. In order to contribute to the health of as many people as possible, Dr. Shirota, with the help of colleagues, used this lactic acid bacteria to make an affordable, delicious fermented milk drink―and so, in 1935, the first bottle of Yakult was produced! These are the beginnings of Yakult, which today, is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world.
Timeline
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- 1930
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- 1930
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Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in strengthening and culturing a strain of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota) beneficial for people’s health
- 1935
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Yakult is first produced and brought to market
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- 1950
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- 1955
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The Shirota Research Institute is established in Kyoto
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- 1960
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- 1963
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Yakult launches its unique Yakult Lady home delivery system
- 1964
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Yakult Taiwan commences operations as the company’s first overseas office
- 1967
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The research institute is relocated to Kunitachi, Tokyo
- 1968
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Yakult Brazil commences operations
- 1969
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Yakult Hong Kong commences operations
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- 1970
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- 1971
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Yakult Thailand and Yakult Korea commence operations
Full-scale entry into the Japanese cosmetics market
- 1975
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Full-scale entry into the Japanese pharmaceutical market
- 1978
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Yakult Philippines commences operations
- 1979
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Yakult Singapore commences operations
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- 1980
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- 1981
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Yakult Mexico commences operations
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- 1990
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- 1991
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Yakult Indonesia commences operations
- 1994
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Yakult Australia and Yakult Netherlands commence operations
- 1995
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Yakult Belgium commences operations
- 1996
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Yakut UK and Yakult Germany commence operations
- 1998
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Yakult is given approval in Japan for labeling as Food for Specified Health Uses
- 1999
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Yakult USA commences operations
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- 2000
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- 2002
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Guangzhou Yakult commences operations
Yakult develops an automatic intestinal microbiota analysis system without the need for culture
- 2004
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Yakult Malaysia commences operations
- 2005
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Shanghai Yakult and Yakult Austria commence operations
Yakult sponsors the World Swimming Championships as an official partner of the International Swimming Federation (FINA)
- 2006
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Beijing Yakult commences operations
- 2007
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YIF-SCAN® (Yakult Intestinal Flora SCAN), an intestinal microbiota analysis system with higher detection sensitivity, is completed
Yakut Italy and Yakult Vietnam commence operations
Full-scale sales are commenced in California, USA
- 2008
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Yakult Danone India commences operations
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- 2010
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- 2011
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Tianjin Yakult commences operations
The three-dimensional trademark for the Yakult bottle is registered in Japan
- 2013
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New Yakult and New Yakult Calorie Half are launched
- 2014
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Yakult commences joint research with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on board the International Space Station
Wuxi Yakult is established in China
- 2016
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Construction of the new Yakult Central Institute is completed
- 2017
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Yakult’s first official character, Yakult Man, is created
Yakult Middle East commences operations
- 2018
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Partnership agreement concluded with Nature Research
Awarded the Special Award (SDGs Partnership Award) at the second Japan SDGs Awards
- 2019
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Daily average global sales of Yakult’s dairy products surpass 40 million bottles
Yakult Myanmar commences operations
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- 2020
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- 2020
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Yakult wins Brand of the Year in the World Branding Awards for the fourth consecutive year