Hyogo Yakult Sales Co., Ltd. Recognized as "Health & Productivity Company" for 7 Consecutive Years and Newly Certified as "Hataraku-Ailes"

Hyogo Yakult Sales Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe City, Nishi Ward; Representative Director: Kyota Abe) has been certified as a "Health & Productivity Company 2026 (Large Enterprise Category)" for the seventh consecutive year. Furthermore, the company has been newly certified for the first time this year as a "Hataraku-Ailes 2026 Welfare Promotion Corporation," an award and certification system for corporations committed to enhancing employee welfare.

As the company celebrates its 70th anniversary, it will continue to prioritize employee health as the foundation of its management, expand the "circle of health management" to the entire region, and strive for the realization of a sustainable society with the entire company united.

**Certified as "Health & Productivity Company 2026 (Large Enterprise Category)" and "Hataraku-Ailes 2026 Welfare Promotion Corporation"**

**■ Certified as "Health & Productivity Company 2026 (Large Enterprise Category)" for 7 Consecutive Years**

The "Health & Productivity Company Certification System" is a program that recognizes corporations that strategically practice employee health management from a business perspective, based on initiatives tailored to regional health issues and the health promotion efforts advanced by the Japan Health Conference.

For more details on Health & Productivity Companies, click here.

**■ First Certification as "Hataraku-Ailes 2026 Welfare Promotion Corporation"**

"Hataraku-Ailes" is a system that recognizes and certifies corporations that focus on enhancing and utilizing employee welfare.

The following initiatives were particularly evaluated for this certification:

* **Support System Tailored to Individual Life Stages:** Flexible systems are in place to accommodate individual circumstances such as childcare and nursing care, creating an environment where work and private life can be easily balanced.
* **System Improvements Born from "On-site Voices":** The company actively collects real employee needs through internal surveys and promptly reflects them in its systems.

For more details on Hataraku-Ailes, click here.

**Hyogo Yakult's Health Management Initiatives**

Under its Health Management Declaration, "We aim to be the best company where all employees and their families are physically and mentally healthy, full of smiles and happiness, and can provide moving experiences and hospitality to our regional customers," the company implements the following initiatives:

* Introduction of the WEB health lecture "Life Pilot"
* Support for women's health issues
* Preconception care (free AMH testing and consultation support for fertility treatments)
* Support for mental well-being
* Implementation of training for "Work-Life Balance Support" tailored to diverse life stages
* Exercise programs and environmental improvements for lifestyle disease prevention
* Operation of a "Company Cafeteria" providing healthy meals
* Introduction of the smartphone app "Pep Up" for health maintenance and promotion
* Health consultations by industrial physicians and public health nurses
* Implementation of smoking cessation support programs
* Support for work-life balance (promotion of reduced working hours and childcare leave acquisition, etc.)

For more details on Hyogo Yakult's health management, click here.

**Health Management Initiatives Newly Introduced from FY2026**

**■ Installation of Health Promotion Space "Karada Labo"**

**What is "Karada Labo"?**

"Karada Labo" is a dedicated space where employees can easily self-check their daily physical condition. It is equipped with bone health and estimated hemoglobin level measurement devices, blood pressure monitors, and stretching boards. It serves not only as a measurement location but also as a place to refresh the mind and body, encouraging employees to become more aware of their own health.

**Employee Feedback After Introduction**

* "I'm glad I can measure my condition in a short time during work breaks. It's also a good way to refresh myself and helps me concentrate on my work afterward."
* "I have more opportunities to reflect on my body, and I'm more conscious of my health than before. I visit the booth regularly."
* "It was a good opportunity to learn about my current physical condition by checking my bone health and estimated hemoglobin levels, which I don't usually have a chance to measure. I want to use these results to manage my health daily."

**Towards Supporting Health Management Externally**

**■ Birth of Health Management Expert Advisors**

To contribute to regional companies, nine employees have newly acquired the "Health Management Expert Advisor" qualification. Among those who obtained the qualification are members responsible for health management within the company, as well as employees with qualifications such as registered dietitians and nurses.

The company assists companies engaged in health management with their various needs, including identifying issues, proposing improvements, formulating plans, and supporting certification acquisition, by working closely with each company.

**Message from the Representative**

"To contribute to the health of the community as a company, it is essential for our employees themselves to be physically, mentally, and socially healthy. Health is the foundation for each employee to achieve their dreams and goals. Furthermore, what I value in health management is the connection between management and employees. By listening to employee voices and creating a supportive work environment that enhances satisfaction, we can foster mutual trust and improve the physical and mental health of our employees. I believe that health management is not just an investment but a chain of gratitude and trust. I believe that when employees are vibrant and feel motivated to 'work hard at this company,' it leads to contributions to our customers. Although we are still in the development stage of practicing health management, we are undertaking various initiatives for the physical and mental well-being of our employees. In the future, as a health management supporter, we want to widely share our company's experience with the region. And we will strive to be known as 'Hyogo Yakult for Health Management.'"

**About Hyogo Yakult Sales Co., Ltd.**

Hyogo Yakult was founded in 1956 based on the wish of Dr. Minoru Shirota, the founder of Yakult, "To help as many people as possible become healthy as quickly as possible." Wishing for the health of the local community, we practice being "the company that values the region the most" and aim to be a company that is called "the company that the region wants to value the most," striving to be a company that can provide the greatest hospitality and moving experiences in Hyogo.