Yakult – Factory Tour
Yakult is a leading Japanese probiotic beverage company headquartered in Tokyo. Its signature fermented milk-based drink is also called “Yakult”. The company has several global production bases and a well-established sales network. Their products are now sold in over 40 countries and regions across the world.
Corporate Information
- Company: Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.
- Foundation: 1935
- Location: Headquartered in Tokyo
- Main Business: Manufacturing of probiotic fermented milk-based drink products
Yakult – Lean Characteristics
Stringent Safety Standards and Quality Control, 7S
Yakult is a popular probiotic milk-based drink originated in Japan which contains the Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain. The product was first developed and launched by Japanese microbiologist Dr. Minoru Shirota in 1935 and is now available in many grocery stores around the world.
The Aichi Yakult factory was established in 1999 and extended in 2008. The factory manufactures Yakult products in accordance with stringent safety standards and quality control. The company achieves this through good 7S implementation.
During the visit, participants meet with Yakult staff to learn about their product and its manufacture practice, and view the production line. The tour also includes a Q&A session with senior managers.

An outstanding experience. The opportunity to learn and build knowledge with experts in the principles of lean management was first class. The Japan context simply makes all the difference in putting that learning into context and allowed me to get “under the hood” of how it is really applied in practice through a variety of…
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Enriched by an exceptional experience in Japan with Shinka Management, I delved into the nuances of Japanese culture and etiquette while immersing myself in the heart of the Toyota Production System. From theoretical and practical courses to visits to Toyota’s final assembly site and their suppliers, each step shaped my understanding. The impeccable organization, meticulous…
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The one week Lean Japan Tour not only validates ‘how lean can make business sense’ but also provides the opportunity to learn and share with professionals across different industries.
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The Lean Japan tour is an experience that has to be lived, because words are not enough to describe it. With excellent logistics and shared experiences, the Lean Japan Tour allowed us to experience the Toyota Production System beyond just the industrial realm. Thanks to the entire Shinka Management team for making this great experience…
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A very valuable and well-organized experience. Getting good access to factories where TPS and lean manufacturing are used as well as the instruction from experienced instructors made this a very worthwhile experience. Participants should leave well equipped to train others as well as conduct kaizen practices themselves.
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It was an exciting experience learning about Japan’s culture and industrial mentality. I had the honor of seeing and experiencing the industrial culture in Japan and exploring the reasons for its prosperity based on the principle of “kaizen”, as well as witnessing the work environment in a distinctive way embodied in the principle of 5S. It was…
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The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour is a professional development program run several times annually. The program includes a mix of lean and kaizen seminars, hands-on lean training and visits to several benchmark lean companies. For further information and program dates, see the lean tour overview page.
Tour Inquiries
Interested in joining us in Japan? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.
The above form is for inquiries related to the Lean Japan Tour program, Shinka Management consulting and training services, and lean manufacturing software products. Shinka Management does not represent Yakult. For Yakult-related product, service and general public tour inquiries, please contact Yakult directly.