In fiscal 2020, we identified six material themes to achieve sustainability as a further step in realizing our mission of contributing to the health and happiness of people around the world based on our belief that “in order for people to be healthy, everything around them must also be healthy.” To identify these themes, we established a cross-departmental working group that mapped various issues from environmental, social, governance and operational perspectives along two axes: “Impact for the Yakult Group” and “Importance for the sustainability of the planet and society.” Additionally, matrix analysis was conducted by placing items along each axis at positions ranging from “extremely important” through “important” to “moderately important.” We also referenced reports from groups like the IPCC^*1 and WEF^*2 and worked with NTT Data Management Consulting, Inc., to identify six themes that we believe are extremely important for the Yakult Group and for the sustainability of people and the planet.

Now that Environmental Actions (2021–2024) is complete, we are considering new objectives for fiscal 2025 and beyond in light of the progress made so far. Because our existing Environmental Targets 2030 was limited in scope to Yakult Honsha and Japanese bottling companies, we have decided to review our objectives with the goal of expanding them to all consolidated companies worldwide.

In conjunction with this initiative, we also reviewed our environmental material themes, adding “Biodiversity conservation,” in response to factors such as the recent rise in disclosure of information related not only to climate change but also to natural capital. We have also renamed our other environmental material themes to improve clarity for all stakeholders. The new names are “Climate change mitigation and adaptation ,” “Transition to sustainable plastic containers and packaging ,” and “Sustainable water source management.”

Our non-environmental material themes are also currently under review. More information will be disclosed separately.

Note: Matrix analysis conducted in fiscal 2020

Using these seven themes, we will establish strategies and plans that work toward improving the sustainability of not only our own Group but also the planet and society to make our corporate philosophy and goal of uniting “People and Planet as One” a reality. Additionally, to respond to a changing society, we will explore periodically reviewing our materiality while soliciting opinions from stakeholders.

Identifying material themes

Seven material themes to achieve sustainability

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 following 11 goals as being most closely connected to our business. Moving forward, the entire Yakult Group will continue contributing to achieving the SDGs.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Materiality theme	Relaetd SDGs
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Transition to sustainable plastic containers and packaging
Sustainable water source management
Biodiversity conservation
Innovation
Value co-creation with communities
Supply chain management