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.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The March 2025 Lean Japan Tour was an incredible opportunity to experience Japanese culture and kaizen practices firsthand. I would rate my overall satisfaction with this tour as outstanding. Honestly, it is very difficult to identify areas for improvement in the program, as it is executed with such professionalism and extensive experience. The dedication and…
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Phenix City, Alabama, United States
Participating in the Shinka Management lean tour was an absolutely transformative experience. The opportunity to witness lean principles in action across renowned factories and a cutting-edge hospital offered unparalleled insights into operational excellence. The factory visits were a masterclass in efficiency and continuous improvement. Observing Toyota Production System methodologies firsthand—from Gemba walks to 5S practices…
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Lumut, Brunei
The tour shows how industries in Japan do continuous improvement in their respective companies. I think that such concepts could also be applied in other industries as well when applied correctly within its own framework. The tour also showcases some aspects of Japanese culture which I appreciate a lot as it provides insight into the…
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Orange, California, United States
Outstanding lean tour hosted by Shinka Management. When researching lean tours in Japan, I wanted to choose the provider offering the most credible program – rich in technical depth and practical, hands-on learning. I’m happy to say this turned out to be a world-class experience that I highly recommend. The program combined expert training and…
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Paris, France
In 2019, I discovered lean management — and it was a revelation. Lean taught me something essential: we do not transform an environment by waiting for a miracle. We transform it by choosing to improve ourselves every day, even by one millimeter — with discipline, humility, and consistency. Since then, this mindset has never left…
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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
This tour was recommended to me by our VP Operations who undertook the tour the previous year. Paul and the Shinka team provided an excellent tour of the Japanese manufacturing industry and the program was both well run and highly focused towards the practical implementation of lean strategies. There were plenty of opportunities to ask…
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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.
