Our approach

We are working to deepen and expand our presence in sales markets to help address diverse health challenges around the world. We aim to bring health to more people by tailoring our products and services to the specific circumstances of each country and region and making them accessible to all.

Specific initiatives

• Expanding entry into new countries
• Expanding e-commerce and other channels
• Developing and providing products and services for each country and region　etc.

Examples of Initiatives

Providing products and services for each country and region

With the rise of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, an increasing number of countries outside Japan have recently sought to protect people’s health by levying a “sugar tax” on foods containing more than a certain amount of sugar. Mexico now requires a warning label on foods with sugar content exceeding specified standards, while in Malaysia and Singapore, the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) appearing on foods containing less than the specified levels of sugar is required for their sale at schools and in advertising. Similar requirements in product development and labeling are expected to increase in the future as more consumers become health conscious and concerned about their sugar intake. The Yakult Group is therefore developing and introducing low-sugar products to clear food standards and meet consumer demand in different countries and regions.

Contribution to solving nutrition and health issues through probiotic products

The shift to super-aged societies in developed countries is increasing the need for highly nutritious foods to address smaller meals and increasing frailty^*1 among older adults with a view to extending their healthy life expectancy. On the other hand, developing countries are facing hunger and malnutrition issues due to poverty.

In order to contribute to the health and happiness of people around the world, we develop food and beverage products. Improving intestinal health aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrition, which we believe can help address malnutrition and other issues.

Additionally, in recent years, a close relationship has been found between the intestinal microbiota and human health. A relationship has also been shown between L. paracasei strain Shirota and the maintenance of human health.

We have been delivering probiotic products that use L. paracasei strain Shirota to people around the world since our founding and are contributing to the health of people globally.

Furthermore, in response to the inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals, as revealed by guidelines such as the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese, we are also developing food and beverages with balanced nutrition in mind, fortified with the necessary vitamins and minerals for target gender and age groups.

* 1 Frailty: Physical and mental decline (motor and cognitive functions, etc.) associated with age

Expanding e-commerce and other channels

With a view to improving convenience as the e-commerce market continues to grow, Yakult launched the Yakult Delivery Net online ordering service in fiscal 2017 and expanded the service nationwide in September 2018. This service offers options for credit card payment and product delivery in a cold storage box, making it possible to deliver products in keeping with diverse consumer lifestyles.

The service has allowed us to broaden our customer base and to deepen contact with existing users. As of March 2025, the number of registered users was approximately 216,000.

Note: The registration of new users has been suspended due to the shortage of some products (as of March 2025).