yakult honsha

A GLOBAL COMPANY WITH ITS ROOTS IN JAPAN

Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., founded by Dr. Minoru Shirota on 1955, is the mother company behind the iconic Yakult probiotic drink.

 

GLOBAL HEALTH STARTS HERE: INSIDE YAKULT HONSHA

Founded on Science: Yakult Honsha was established in 1955 in Tokyo, Japan, to commercialize a probiotic drink developed by Dr. Minoru Shirota, who discovered the Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in the 1930s

Global Health Mission: Guided by the philosophy of Shirota-ism, Yakult is committed to preventive medicine and making gut health accessible to people worldwide

Sustainability-Driven: Yakult aims to become a healthcare company by 2030, focusing on both human and planetary health through initiatives like reducing plastic use, conserving water, and cutting carbon emissions

PILLARS OF SCIENCE & RESEARCH

  • Yakult Honsha owns the Yakult Central Institute, the world-renowned microbiology research center in Tokyo.
  • Also supports advanced studies through the European Research Centre in Belgium and provides independent research grants via the Yakult Bio Science Foundation.
  • Studies microbiology, immunology, fermentation engineering, pharmaceuticals, and probiotic functionality.

PHILOSOPHY: "SHIROTA-ISM"

Yakult’s guiding philosophy, known as “Shirota-ism,” is rooted in the vision of Dr. Minoru Shirota, who believed in promoting health through the gut. It emphasizes making probiotics accessible and affordable to everyone, with a strong focus on preventive health and improving quality of life.

 

This philosophy continues to guide Yakult’s global mission—supporting scientific innovation, public health education, and partnerships with healthcare professionals. By focusing on preventive care and gut health, Yakult aims to contribute to healthier, happier communities worldwide.

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