Yakult's Slogans & Taglines

Yakult is a pioneering Japanese probiotic brand founded in 1935 by Dr. Minoru Shirota, who first cultivated the Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in 1930 at Kyoto Imperial University. Born from a vision of preventive medicine, the fermented milk drink was developed to deliver beneficial bacteria directly to the intestines at an affordable price. The company, Yakult Honsha, was formally established in Tokyo in 1955, and international expansion began with Taiwan in 1964. The brand’s ethos is rooted in Shirota-ism, embodied by the founding belief that “a healthy intestinal tract leads to a long life” and a commitment to accessibility. Today, the portfolio spans the flagship Yakult series, including the high-density Yakult 1000 and Yakult 400W, alongside pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. With daily sales exceeding 30 million bottles across 39 countries, Yakult continues to blend microbiological science with door-to-door community service through its iconic Yakult Ladies network.