Our approach

We will provide products and services that lead to solutions for health and social issues by pursuing new health value through the utilization of our research findings and extensive experience with lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms, as well as through collaboration with outside resources.

Specific initiatives

• Developing products using plant-derived ingredients
• Expanding the medical biome business
• Promoting joint research and corporate collaborations
• Investing in and utilizing intellectual property and intangible assets　etc.

Examples of Initiatives

Research on bacteriology for human health

Research on the intestinal microbiota

The human intestinal tract is colonized by some 100 trillion bacteria, of which there are around 1,000 different types. In particular, a diverse array of intestinal bacteria inhabits the area from the lower section of the small intestine to the large intestine and is called the intestinal microbiota. It has been discovered that the intestinal microbiota is related to lifestyle-related diseases and stress in addition to the health of the intestines and the development and maintenance of immunity.

Research into the intestinal microbiota from the standpoint of preventive medicine is a major pillar of activities at the Yakult Central Institute. We use the latest genetic analysis technology, intestinal bacteria isolation technology and a range of other techniques to analyze the types and composition of intestinal bacteria to ascertain their relationship with diseases and their impact on the health of the host.

Developing products using plant-derived ingredients

Yakult Honsha has an established business alliance with Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage Ltd. (Pokka Sapporo), which uses plant-based ingredients such as lemons as resources, and has been exploring ways to work collaboratively with Pokka Sapporo in order to expand our market further and provide new value to customers in the form of plant-based food. Results of this collaboration include Soful Lemon (released January 2023), which combines Pokka Sapporo’s lemon ingredients with our fermentation technology, and Power of Soy Milk (released October 2024), which uses the plant-based yogurt business and production facilities acquired from Pokka Sapporo.

Expanding our medical biome business

“Medical biome” is a portmanteau construction combining “medical” and “microbiome” that represents the full range of business activities conducted by Yakult Honsha, which include the study of microbiomes in an effort to help resolve various challenges in the healthcare domain, the development of products, and the provision of new value based on findings in microbiome research.

Synprotec and Bifidus Pro, both released in 2023, are two products developed as part of this business with feedback from medical professionals.

Synprotec is a synbiotic food product combining two kinds of microbiota and galactooligosaccharides developed independently by Yakult. Bifidus Pro is a powdered product that contains living B. breve strain Yakult. Sold in highly portable aluminum stick packaging, it can be stored long-term at room temperature.

Promoting joint research and corporate collaborations

Joint research with JAXA

In joint research with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) we have scientifically verified the effects of the regular intake of probiotics (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota) on the immune functions and intestinal environment of astronauts on long-term stays aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Before carrying out this research in space, we confirmed that Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota maintains its probiotic properties after long-term storage in a space environment.

Establishing a unit in digestive tract disease research and treatment studies at Juntendo University

We provided a donation to fund a unit in digestive tract disease research and treatment studies at the Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, and are currently engaged in collaborative research to clarify the efficacy and action mechanism of probiotics used to treat functional digestive tract diseases and improve quality of life. As well as producing evidence for the efficacy of probiotics in treating functional digestive tract diseases, this work will contribute to the development of medical science by deepening our understanding of functional digestive tract diseases with respect to intestinal microbiota and environments.

Investing in and utilizing intellectual property and intangible assets

Number of countries where we have acquired rights to the Yakult and related trademarks and examples of such trademarks

Product development (products for pets) through corporate collaboration

Developing products for companion animals (pets)

Based on our belief that ”in order for people to be healthy, everything around them must also be healthy,” we see it as important to support the health not only of humans but also of animals, plants and the environment. Resolving to help improve health maintenance for companion animals, we formed a capital business alliance with Japan Pet Communications Co., Ltd. and now sell collaboratively developed products using ingredients developed independently by Yakult. In October 2024, we released MediSupply Galactooligosaccharide, a supplement for cats that responds to the need for products for cats, and in May 2025 we released the dog food V-Base, which contains galactooligosaccharides and L. plantarum strain Planimal developed independently by Yakult.