What the SDGs^* mean to the Yakult Group

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 L. paracasei strain Shirota. Together with like-minded individuals, he then developed an inexpensive, delicious drink so that many people could benefit from L. paracasei 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 corporate 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.”

The Yakult Group’s contributions to the SDGs

The Yakult Group’s corporate activities are broadly related to all 17 SDGs, but in the light of the recent revision of our materiality, we have reexamined the goals that are most closely connected to our business, resulting in the selection of the following 15 goals. Moving forward, the entire Yakult Group will continue contributing to achieving the SDGs.

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Materiality theme	Related SDGs
Provision of safe and secure products and transparent information disclosure
Value co-creation with communities
Establishment of a resilient and sustainable supply chain
Promotion of health initiatives rooted in local communities
Creation of health value that meets diverse health needs
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Transition to sustainable plastic containers and packaging
Sustainable water source management
Biodiversity conservation
Worker health, safety and well-being
Development of innovative human resources capable of delivering new value
Embracing the diversity of our workforce

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, and healthcare products. Yakult Sustainability Stories, p. 9	Related SDGs		Specific initiatives	Disclosure of research results Opening of the Shirota Memorial Museum to the public to improve communication with consumers 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. 10	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 plan (BCP) measures Promotion of sustainable procurement Risk assessment using sustainable 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. 11	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. 12	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. 13	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 Development of infrastructure to enable orders 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through 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 Introduction of heat pump vending machines

Raising awareness of the SDGs