YAKULT HONSHA CO.,LTD.
2267・Prime Market・Foods
Governance
The company adopts a company-with-auditors structure, with a Board of Directors composed of 14 directors (including 6 outside directors) meeting 10 times per year. It has established a Nomination and Compensation Advisory Committee (chaired by an independent outside director) and a Sustainability Advisory Committee, building a governance framework that ensures independence and objectivity.
Risk Management
The Administration Division is responsible for cross-organizational risk monitoring, and a framework has been established to identify and manage 19 risks. Important matters are submitted to the Management Policy Council and the Board of Directors, and with regard to climate change risk, the Sustainability Promotion Committee operates a cycle of assessing and formulating response plans covering the entire value chain.
Shareholder Returns
Policy prioritizes progressive dividends above all, targeting a total payout ratio of around 70%, combined with flexible share buybacks. The annual dividend for FY2026 (ending March 2026) is planned at ¥70 per share (ordinary dividend of ¥66 plus a commemorative dividend of ¥4 for the company's 90th founding anniversary, up ¥6 year on year), and FY2027 (ending March 2027) is planned at ¥72 (ordinary dividend, up ¥6 versus the prior year's ordinary dividend). As a subsequent event, the company resolved to acquire treasury shares between June 2026 and March 2027, up to 26,500,000 shares and up to ¥55,000 million (all to be retired).
Dividend Policy
Based on a progressive dividend policy, the company prioritizes continuous dividend increases, determining the dividend amount by comprehensively considering funding needs for future business expansion and profitability improvement, financial condition, and current-period performance. In addition, the company targets a total payout ratio of around 70%, and implements flexible share buybacks after taking into account market conditions and cash flow, among other factors. The annual dividend for FY2026 (ending March 2026) is ¥70 (ordinary dividend of ¥66 plus a ¥4 commemorative dividend for the company's 90th founding anniversary), and the forecast for FY2027 (ending March 2027) is ¥72 (ordinary dividend only).
ESG
Under the "Yakult Group Environmental Vision 2050," the company aims for net-zero GHG emissions and has already obtained SBT certification. It has set "Environmental Targets 2030" covering resource circulation for plastic containers and packaging, water resource management, and biodiversity conservation. On the human capital side, it discloses a 14.4% ratio of female managers and a 103.2% rate of male employees taking childcare leave, and promotes these initiatives group-wide, centered on the Sustainability Promotion Committee.
Last updated: June 19, 2026