Dr. Minoru Shirota succeeds in culturing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota at the Universtiy of Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan. This later became the main ingredient in Yakult.
1935
Yakult is manufactured and introduced to the Japanese market.
1938
Yakult is registered as a trademark.
1955
Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. is established in Tokyo, Japan
1963
Yakult launches its unique Yakult Ladies system of door-to-door distribution.
1964
Yakult Co., Ltd. Taiwan begins operations as the company's first overseas operation.
1967
Yakult Central Institute for Microbiology Research is established in Tokyo.
1980
Company stocks are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1986
Fuji Susono Plant is completed for dairy-product manufacturing.
1995
Yakult enters first European market (The Netherlands)
1999
The cancer prevention efficacy of Lactobacillus casei Shirota is announced at the 58th General Meeting of the Japan Cancer Society.
1999
Yakult enters select Asian markets in the United States.
2005
Yakult enters select Hispanic markets in the United States.
2007
In Southern California and Las Vegas, Yakult sells in its first general market grocery store.
2008
Yakult expands to general market stores in Northern California and Phoenix, Arizona.
