Yoghurt drink makers
Established in Japan in 1935. Its main operations are in the area of beneficial bacteria, but they also have interests in other areas, including cosmetics, pharmaceutical goods and foods.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Apr 2025)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Yakult Honsha Co Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Forests score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
1/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 1/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2023)
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's list of food and beverage companies that tests on animals, signifying that: it has not signed PETA's Statement of Assurance document; has definitively conducted, funded, commissioned, or allowed animal testing that is not explicitly required by law or by written requirements by government agencies; and has not adequately resolved this issue in private discussions with PETA.
Source: PETA
(2024)
28.1% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 28.1%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for making unsubstantiated health claims. In 2012 the UK Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint about a tv ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued.
Previous animal testing
In 2015 Cruelty Free International exposed cruel animal tests carried out by Danone, Nestle and Yakult, presumably so that the companies could market health claims about their products. However in 2018 Yakult was applauded by PETA for ending all experiments on animals.
Medium ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 28.5, placing it in the "medium risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
1935
Revenue:
5.7 billion USD
(2020)
Employees:
27,279
(2020)
Subsidiaries:
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Yakult Australia
Yakult
Probiotic Milk/Kefir