HISTORY OF THE COMPANY (Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd)

 1930
  • Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in strengthening and culturing lactic acid bacteria, useful for maintaining health (L. casei strain Shirota).

1935
  • Yakult is manufactured and introduced to the market.

1938
  • Yakult is registered as a trademark.

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.

1950-1955
  • Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is established. (Nishi Hatchobori, Chuo-ku,Tokyo)
  • Research Institute is established in Kyoto.

1960-1963
  • Yakult launches its unique Yakult Lady home delivery system.

1964
  • Yakult Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) begins operations as the company's first overseas operation base.

1967
  • Yakult Central Institute for Microbiology Research is established in Kunitachi, Tokyo.

1968
  • The company takes over the management of the Sankei Atoms baseball team (now the Tokyo Yakult Swallows).
  • Yakult S/A Ind. E. Com. (Brazil) begins operations.
  • Yakult is introduced to the market in a new plastic container.

 1969
  • Hong Kong Yakult Co., Ltd. begins operations.

1970
  • Joie fermented milk is introduced to the market.

1971
  • The company begins the full-scale sale of cosmetics.
  • Yakult (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Korea Yakult Co., Ltd. Begin operations.

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.
  • Sofuhl fermented milk is introduced to the market.

1978
  • Yakult Philippines, Inc. is established.
  • Mil-Mil fermented milk - developed through the direct culture of bifidobacteria - is introduced to the market.

1979
  • Yakult (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. begins operations.
  • The company verifies the anticancer effect of lactobacillus YIT 9018 and begins the development of a lactobacilli-based anticancer drug.
  • Yakult Seichoyaku intestinal regulator - an over-the-counter medicine - is introduced to the healthcare industry.

1980
  • Company stocks are listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • Toughman health drink is introduced to the market.


1981
  • Company stocks are listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
  • Yakult S.A. De C.V. (Mexico) begins operations.
  • Yakult 80 fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.

1982
  • Mil-Mil E fermented milk is introduced to the market.
1986
  • Fuji Susono Plant is completed for dairy-product manufacturing.

1987
  • Facilities for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and beverages are completed at the Fuji Susono Plant.

1988
  • Calorian enriched nutritional liquid food product is introduced to the market.

1989
  • Revecy S.E. Series is introduced to the market.
  • Bifiel, fermented milk containing bifidobacteria, is introduced to the market.

1990
  • The company files an application with the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the approval to manufacture LC9018 immunitherapeutic anticancer agent (product name, Lemonal Injection).
1991
  • P.T. Yakult Indonesia Persada begins operations.
  • Representative office is opened in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Yakult 80 Ace fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.

1992
  • Bioscience Research Foundation is established.


1994
  • Yakult Australia Pty. Ltd. and Yakult Nederland B.V. begin operations.
  • 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 on behalf of the program of regular visits to senior citizens.

1995
  • Yakult Belgium S.A./N.V. begins operations.
  • The sale of the CPT-11 chemotherapeutic anticancer drug is approved in France as a therapeutic drug for progressive recurrent intractable colorectal cancer.
  • Parabio Series premium-quality skincare product line is introduced to the market.
  • Yakult BL Seichoyaku intestinal regulator - which combines bifidobacteria and lactobacilli - is introduced to the market.

1996
  • Yakult Europe B.V. is established.
  • Yakult UK Ltd. and Yakult Deutschland GmbH begin operations.
  • Yakult Fuji Distribution Center is completed.
  • The sale of the CPT-11 chemotherapeutic anticancer drug is approved in the U.S. as a therapeutic drug for progressive recurrent intractable colorectal cancer.

1997
  • Fuji Susono Plant receives ISO9002 certification.
    *(The ISO9002 standard, as a result of ISO standard revisions, was integrated into the ISO9001 standard as of October 2002.)
  • Yakult Argentina S.A. begins operations.
  • The company receives the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Award (in the Consumer Division) at the Excellent Corporations of Food Industry Awards.
  • Revecy-N Series skincare product line is introduced to the market.

1998
  • Ten Yakult plants and one subsidiary plant receive HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) approval for total hygienic control in their production processes.
    *All the food plants (ten Yakult plants and nine subsidiary plants) had obtained approval as of October 2001.
  • Yakult is approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.
  • Bansoreicha is introduced to the market.
  • Spherex arterial embolization material is introduced to the healthcare industry.
  • Yakult 80 Ace, Yakult LT, Joie, Mil-Mil, and Mil-Mil E are approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.

1999
  • Yakult 400 fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.
  • Bifiel, Yakult 400, and Sofuhl are approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.
  • The cancer prevention efficacy of L. casei strain Shirota is announced at the 58th General Meeting of the Japan Cancer Society.
  • Kyoto plant receives ISO14001 certification.
    *Nine Yakult plants, the Yakult's Analysis Laboratory, Nihon Chlorella, six subsidiary plants, and one distribution company have obtained certification as of August 31,2009.

2000
  • Bansoreicha is approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for labeling as Foods for Specified Health Uses.
  • The company receives an award from the Nihon Shokuryo Shimbun (Japan Food Stuff Newspaper) for contributions to the development of the food industry during the 20th century.

2001
  • Fuji Susono Pharmaceuticals Plant expansion completed.
  • Purela soft yogurt is introduced to the market.
  • 21st century Food and Health Forum is held. (subsequently held annually)
  • Yakult Swallows win their sixth league championship and fifth Japan Series title.

2002
  • World's first Automatic Intestinal Flora Analysis System is developed.
  • Guangzhou Yakult Co., Ltd. begins operations.

2003
  • Kurozu Drink is introduced to the market.
  • Cosmetic brand Posh Mama is introduced to the market.
  • Campto Injection wins the Chairman's Prize from Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
  • Vending machine sales alliance is established with Kirin Beverage.

2004
  • Yakult (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. begins operations.
  • New Toughman and Toughman V are introduced to the market.
  • Entered into a strategic alliance with Groupe Danone.
  • Sales of Yakult are begun in New Zealand.
  • The Revecy Series, a new foundation cosmetic line, is introduced to the market.
  • Pretio (Food for Specified Health Uses), a fermented milk drink is introduced to the market.
  • Shanghai Yakult Co., Ltd. begins operations.
  • Sales of Yakult are begun in Ireland.

2005
  • Yakult 300V is introduced to the market.
  • Research center is established in Europe (Belgium).
  • Yakult (China) Co., Ltd. is established to oversee operations in China.
  • Oxaliplatin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, is approved under the name of Elplat.
  • Signed a memorandum of understanding with Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. and Kirin Beverage Corporation to enter into a business partnership focusing on health and functional foods.
  • Co-sponsored the FINA World Swimming Championships as an Official FINA Partner.
  • Decision made to enter the Indian market in alliance with Groupe Danone.
  • Three types of Bifiene, the new yogurt drink, are introduced to the market.
  • Shanghai Yakult Marketing Co., Ltd. begins operations.
  • Yakult Oesterreich GmbH begins operations.

2006
  • Sofuhl LCS 100 is introduced to the market.
  • The name of Yakult's line of beauty products was changed to Yakult Beautiens.
  • Our new line of basic cosmetics, Uruou Series, is introduced to the market.
  • The process of acquiring ISO9001 and ISO14001 certification of marketing companies begins (integrated certification).
  • Our new corporate slogan is decided : Healthier People, a Healthier World.
  • Beijing Yakult Marketing Co., Ltd. begins operations.
  • Yakult 300VLT is introduced to the market.
  • Yakult Science Research Lab pavilion opened at KidZania Tokyo.
  • The Yakult Crime and Disaster Prevention Council is established and a memorandum of understanding is concluded with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department regarding crimeprevention.

2007
  • Yakult Italia S.r.l. begins operations.
  • Local representative office of Yakult established in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  • Yakult Iwate Plant is completed.
  • Sales of Yakult are begun in California, USA.
  • Yakult Vietnam Co., Ltd. begins operations

2009                           
  • The anticancer drug Elplat for Injection 50mg is introduced to the market.
  • Yakult (Thailand) Co., Ltd. builds its second production plant in Ayutthaya.
  • Yakult Calorie Half is introduced to the market.
  • Revecy White is introduced to the market.
  • Yakult SHEs Hard Type is introduced to the market.
  • Joie container wins the Japan Star Award, the Japan Packaging Contest’s highest award.
  • Gyutto Kenko Cassis, Coenzyme Q10, and Shiso are introduced to the market.

2010
  • The scientific paper “The Science of B. breve strain Yakult-Relationship with Intestinal Flora and Health” is published.
  • Bifidobacteria beverage Mil-Mil is introduced to the market.
  • The main building removal work and landscaping work at Yakult Central Institute are completed. “A research institute in the forest” is realized.
  • The Yakult Honsha building, including Yakult Hall, receives Fire Safety Building Certificate (Excellence Mark).
  • An enhanced Parabio Series is introduced to the market.
  • Gyutto Kenko Glucosamine is introduced to the market.
  • A water soluble formulation of the anticancer drug Elplat is introduced to the market.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS