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.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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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Nelson, New Zealand
I had several projects that I had been procrastinating on. They seemed too big, too complicated and I was actually struggling to know where to start. Without a word of a lie, after the first day I came back to my hotel room and wrote up the backbone of my strategy using the skills I…
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The tour was a great experience on both a personal and a professional level. There was much learning and the culture we encountered was inspiring. I want to thank the Shinka Management team for their efforts in organising such a great and professionally detailed program. It was a pleasure meeting you all.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
My experience on the Lean Japan Tour was much more than expected. I’ve come to realise that there’s much more for me to learn regarding TPS. The program is excellent in terms of the content, but also, and no less important, the personalized attention made me feel like I am a member of the Shinka…
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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I enjoyed every aspect of this extremely well organised kaizen tour including: factory visits, translations by Paul and Ben, TPS training, sightseeing, accommodation, transportation, and meals. This tour is a must for anyone trying to understand / implement LEAN into their business or organisation. I hope the tour continues for many years to come as…
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Nelson, New Zealand
Amazing experience, exceptional learning. If you want to learn about Lean go on this tour!
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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.