Our passion for and approach to health can be traced back to our founder’s wish to protect the health of people around the world. Yakult engages in business activities based on our corporate philosophy, expressed as: “We contribute to the health and happiness of people around the world through pursuit of excellence in life science in general and our research and experience in microorganisms in particular.” We see these activities as contributing to Goal 3, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Yakult’s founder, Minoru Shirota, a doctor of medicine, began his medical studies in 1921. At the time, unsanitary conditions caused large numbers of children to die of infectious diseases in Japan. Under the circumstances, Dr. Shirota set his sights on the field of preventive medicine, which aims to help people avoid sickness rather than treating diseases after they occur. After years of microorganism research, Dr. Shirota strengthened and cultured Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. Together with likeminded individuals, he then developed an inexpensive, delicious drink so that many people could benefit from Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. This is how Yakult was born.
Yakult products are not just sold in stores but, since our founding, are also delivered door-to-door to homes and other locations. This approach of reaching out directly to customers is rooted in Dr. Shirota’s principles of emphasizing the dissemination of information about preventive medicine and the idea that a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life, as well as the value he placed on sincerity, gratitude and harmonious human relations.
The SDGs were established as goals to be achieved by 2030 so that humanity can continue living on Earth. “Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere” is identified as the most important goal, and “leave no one behind” is the central promise of the SDGs.
The foundational philosophy of Yakult and our corporate slogan, “In order for people to be healthy, everything around them must also be healthy,” are perfectly matched with the aims of the SDGs, so it is a matter of course for us to strive to achieve those goals. Yakult will thus continue working to create a society where humans can live in harmony with the planet, based on our goal of uniting “People and Planet as One.”
The Yakult Group’s corporate activities are widely related to all 17 SDGs, but based on our materiality we have identified the below eight goals as being most closely connected to our business. Moving forward, the entire Yakult Group will continue working towards helping achieve the SDGs.
In keeping with its mission to contribute to the health of people around the world, the Yakult Group will continue to use its research findings and long experience with lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms and pursue new possibilities through collaboration with outside resources to provide products and services that lead to solutions for health and social issues.
Evolving into a healthcare company
We will maintain respect for the cultures and customs in each region where we operate and contribute to the creation of safe, secure and healthy communities, engaging in dialogue with local communities about their own unique issues and proactively working toward solutions.
How we continue delivering good health to local communities
A sustainable supply chain is essential in creating high-quality products that are safe and reliable. We will visualize our corporate social responsibilities, taking specific actions in the supply chain in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption.
Working to procure raw materials
responsibly
To address the many issues caused by climate change, such as resource depletion and natural disasters, we will promote energy conservation and proactively utilize renewable energy, as well as reduce our greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain.
Toward a zero-carbon society
On issues related to plastic waste and resource recycling, we will reduce the amount of plastic used in containers and packaging, transition to easily recyclable materials, and promote the reuse and recycling of plastic packing materials used in production processes.
Toward plastic recycling
To tackle issues such as water inequality and water-related disasters, we will manage water risks at our production bases, strive to reduce water usage, and promote both conservation and sustainable use of water resources.
Protecting Earth’s precious, limited water resources
| Business activity | Related SDGs | Specific initiatives |
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R&D We undertake research to realize the concepts of preventive medicine and the idea that a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life, and are applying research results in the development of food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
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● Disclosure of research results ● Communication with consumers by opening the Shirota Memorial Museum to the public ● Product safety evaluation at the product development and post-marketing stages ● Product safety assurance by analysis and testing ● Reliability assurance by auditing of research data ● Joint research with universities, hospitals, and research institutes ● Promotion of research grant programs ● Sponsorship of academic conferences and symposiums ● Thorough management of chemical substances by research institute internal committee activities, etc. ● Strengthening of measures to prevent leakage of information by building a robust system and collaborating with external service providers |
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Procurement We procure raw materials such as skimmed milk, sugar, and packaging materials through fair trade.
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Selection of sound business partners ● Prior consultation and credit checks for new business partners ● Conclusion of contracts (including clauses regarding excluding antisocial forces) ● Verification of financial status of business partners Promotion of fair trade ● Implementation of an evaluation system for business partners Stable procurement of raw materials ● Purchasing from multiple business partners (suppliers) and appropriate stock management ● Promotion of business continuity planning (BCP) measures Promotion of sustainable procurement ● Risk assessment using CSR procurement survey ● Formulation of Supplier CSR Guidelines ● Hosting CSR procurement policy briefings for suppliers |
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Production We use finite resources efficiently and employ environmentally conscious methods to manufacture high-quality products that are safe and offer peace of mind to customers.
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Reduction in occupational accidents ● Safety and health education and safety and health inspection tours ● Continuous capital investment to create a working environment where everyone can work in a healthy and safe manner Promotion of energy saving, waste reduction and recycling ● Reduction in CO2 emissions and energy consumption by introducing highly efficient facilities and equipment, improved workflows, LEDs and solar power ● Waste reduction and appropriate disposal ● Proper management of waste water and reduced water usage Establishment of a risk management system ● Establishment of a system to enable production to continue and a fast recovery in the event of a disaster ● Establishment and occasional review of BCP and disaster preparedness manual ● Installation of earthquake early warning systems to achieve fast initial response Understanding of environmental impacts and risks ● Implementation of water risk surveys ● Implementation of biodiversity risk surveys |
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Logistics By ensuring eco-driving (fuel-efficient driving) and choosing delivery methods that have reduced environmental impacts, we are reducing the amount of CO2 emissions deriving from product shipments.
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Promotion of collaboration with other companies in the same industry ● Promotion of collaboration with other companies at distribution centers and in transportation to mass retailers, to reduce energy consumption and costs Promotion of day-to-day efficiency ● Introduction of a system to visualize vehicle load factor and achieve a higher load factor by allocating vehicles appropriately, using two-temperature-zone transportation ● Promotion of eco-driving by using terminals in logistics company trucks ● Switch to eco-friendly vehicles and reduction in empty transportation zones |
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Sales We provide customers with not only products but also accurate product information and health tips.
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● Dispatch of guest lecturers for children ● Health-related lectures for customers and businesses ● Disclosure of information on our website ● Health-related campaigns ● Value dissemination activities at stores ● Assisting support facilities for persons with disabilities ● Diversification of ordering methods using Yakult Delivery Net ● Increased efficiency by introducing an online payment system and mobile information terminals ● Increased customer satisfaction by introducing cashless payment ● Establishment of financial planning consultation desk to create worker-friendly environments ● Eco-friendly center operations and home delivery activities ● Introduction of heat pump vending machines |
■Initiatives inside the Group
We conduct ongoing awareness programs for workers so that they can see the essence of the SDGs and take personal responsibilities themselves.
In 2018, we created posters showing the connection between the activities at each stage of the Yakult Group’s business operations and the SDGs in nine languages (Japanese, English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Spanish and Portuguese).
In addition, the Yakult Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct were revised in April 2020 to include the SDGs related to each item of the Code of Conduct, in order to show workers that their thoughts and actions when properly carrying out corporate activities directly lead to the Group’s CSR as well as contribute to achieving the SDGs.
■Initiatives outside the Group
In February 2019, out of the 17 SDGs we presented our initiatives related to Goal 3 on health and exchanged views with about 30 students from 11 countries who were delegates of the Japan-ASEAN Students Conference (JENESYS 2018), an exchange program aiming to promote understanding of Japan run by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Organized by the government’s SDGs Promotion Headquarters, the second Japan SDGs Awards were held on December 21, 2018. The Yakult Group was presented the special “SDGs Partnership Award” for our contribution to achieving Goal 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” through our everyday activities.
