Yakult

日本語

Site Map

History

  • 1930s
    1930
    • Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria, useful for maintaining health
      (Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota*).
      *Classified as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota since April 2020.
    1935
    • Yakult is manufactured and introduced to the market.
  • 1940s
    1940
    • Local offices of the Association for Promotion of Preventive Bacteria Strain Shirota are established in various parts of Japan for the purpose of marketing and distributing Yakult.
  • 1950s
    1955
    • Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is established (Nishi Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).
    • Research Institute is established in Kyoto.
  • 1960s
    1963
    • Yakult launches its unique Yakult Lady home delivery system.
    1964
    • Yakult Taiwan Co., Ltd. begins operations as the company’s first overseas operation base.
    1967
    • Research institute is established in Kunitachi, Tokyo (later known as Yakult Central Institute).
    1968
    • The company takes over the management of the Sankei Atoms baseball team (now the Tokyo Yakult Swallows).
    • Yakult is introduced to the market in a new plastic container.
  • 1970s
    1970
    • Joie fermented milk is introduced to the market.
    1971
    • The company begins the full-scale sale of cosmetics.
    1972
    • New head office building is completed in Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
    • Program of regular visits to senior citizens by Yakult Ladies begins.
    1975
    • Biolactis Capsules ethical drug is introduced to the healthcare industry, thereby marking Yakult’s entrance into the pharmaceutical business.
    1978
    • Mil-Mil bifidobacteria-fermented milk is introduced to the market.
    1979
    • Yakult Seichoyaku intestinal regulator,an over-the-counter medicine,is introduced to the healthcare industry.
  • 1980s
    1980
    • Company stocks are listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
    • Toughman is introduced to the market.
    1981
    • Company stocks are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
    1989
    • Revecy S.E. Series is introduced to the market.
  • 1990s
    1992
    • Yakult Bioscience Research Foundation is established.
    1994
    • The manufacture of irinotecan hydrochloride, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, is approved, and the drug is introduced to the healthcare industry under the brand name of Campto.
    • The company receives the Minister for Health and Welfare Award for distinguished volunteer service in recognition program of the regular visits to senior citizens.
    1995
    • Parabio Series premium-quality skincare product line is introduced to the market.
    1997
    • The company receives the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award (in the Consumer Division) at the Excellent Corporations of Food Industry Awards.
    1998
    • Yakult is approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.
    • Yakult Bansoreicha is introduced to the market.
    1999
    • Yakult 400 fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.
  • 2000s
    2004
    • Entered into a strategic alliance with Groupe Danone.
    2005
    • Research center is established in Europe (Belgium).
    • Oxaliplatin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, is approved under the name of Elplat.
    2006
    • The name of Yakult’s brand of cosmetics is changed to Yakult Beautiens.
    2008
    • Yakult receives a 2008 Good Design Long Life Design Award (G-Mark).
  • 2010s
    2011
    • The three-dimensional trademark for Yakult containers is recognized.
    • Campto wins the Science Award from the Japanese Cancer Association.
    2012
    • Yakult launches Yakult Space Discovery Project.
    2013
    • Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota obtains GRAS Certification from the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
    • Yakult and Danone terminate strategic alliance agreement and sign a memorandum of cooperation.
    • New Yakult and New Yakult Calorie Half are introduced to the market.
    2016
    • Construction of the new Yakult Central Institute is completed.
    2018
    • National release of Yakult no Oishii Hakko Kajitsu.
    • The company receives the Minister of Economy,Trade and Industry Award for home delivery service by Yakult Ladies at the second Nihon Service Award.
    • The company receives the Special Award (SDGs Partnership Award) at the second Japan SDGs Award.
    2019
    • The average number of dairy products the company sells globally exceeds 40 million bottles a day (financial results for the fiscal year ended March 2019).
    • Yakult 1000 is launched in the seven prefectures of the Kanto region.
  • 2020s
    2020
    • The head office is relocated to Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
    2021
    • Yakult 1000 is introduced throughout Japan.
    • Yakult Group Environmental Vision is formulated.
    • Long-term vision Yakult Group Vision 2030 is formulated.
    • Yakult 400W is launched nationwide in Japan.
    • Y1000 is launched.
    2022
    • The company receives the Brand of the Year for its Yakult brand at the World Branding Awards for the fifth consecutive year.
    • The company is certified as a White 500 Health and Productivity Management Organization for five straight years.
    • The company's shares are listed on Prime Market following the reorganization of stock market categories by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
    • Yakult 1000 is selected as one of the U-Can top 10 buzzwords for 2022 by Gendai yōgo no kiso chishiki (Basic Knowledge on Contemporary Terminology).