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.

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.

1955

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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'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).

2023

• The company is certified as a White 500 Health and Productivity Management Organization for 6 consecutive years.
• Launch of products for companion animals (pets) using Yakult's unique galacto-oligosaccharide
• The company receives the Brand of the Year for its Yakult brand at the World Branding Awards for 7 consecutive years.