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.
