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.

I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who is in the business of improving people. The ideas stimulated through this tour have helped me reform our entire vision of what improvement means for our business.
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
It was a fasntastic tour from the beginning to the end. It was very well-organised and informative. Sessions were followed with practical training which concentrated more on the ideas that had been explained. The factories visited were chosen in a way that allowed the participants to see a live supply chain work. Big thanks to…
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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I joined the tour with little understanding of lean. This tour opened my eyes to the possibilities of what can be achieved through continued focus on improvement and team work at all levels. The plant tours showcase the Kaizen and 5S principles perfectly. The surprising thing for me is that safety and quality were paramount…
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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The TPS methodologies and learnings were exceptional. Shinka management ensured the tour was clearly defined. The teachings from expert senseis were effective, and they shared their knowledge and experience of the kaizen and 5S models. A must attend tour for people who are seeking improvements in business and culture. Thank you Shinka management!
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The Lean Japan Tour was well organized and full of passion, knowledge and hands-on practice. I was glad to join the program. Thanks a lot to the Shinka Management team.
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Bikfaya, Lebanon
Life changing experience. The tour was extremely well prepared: 1. In terms of logistics and schedule, everything was organized to provide enough time for full day efficiency without putting too much physical or cognitive strain. 2. In terms of quality of information, the senseis’ knowledge is world-class level and they were more than willing to…
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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.