Minoru Shirota was born in April 1899 in the village which is located beside the River Inadani Tenryuu in the area Iida, Western Nagano, Japan. Inadani village is surrounded by a hilly area of ​​high mountains. It is a poor country since time immemorial because rice can not be alive in there. Minoru Shirota was born in a wealthy family in the village. In addition to having wholesale business paper and silk worm rearing, his father also worked at the bank. Up to standart 2, Shirota branch of study in school, but moved to schools across the mountain Ryuunooka center when they enter the standart 3. Shirota is liked by many for his humor and intelligence. Hashizume Fukuji teacher was the first to see and tap the talent of Shirota.

In April 1913, Shirota entering lower secondary school Iida old system. To get to school, Shirota had to trudge 16 KM. His classmates in junior high school Iida of 66 people. 14 of whom aspire to become doctors. Similarly, Shirota who choose to become a doctor with the encouragement of his father. At that time, many students from lower secondary school to further their education Ilda High School 8 (now the University of Nagoya). The encouragement of seniors in the school, Shirota continue their education to high school 2 (now the University of Tohoku) in the district of Sendai, Miyagi Region.

In her spare time, Shirota like to watch movies with friends. Three years spent his adolescent years Shirota in Sendai. His ambition was to become doctors have never forgotten. He made the decision to the Faculty of Medicine study. But alas, not long after the war, broke out in Japan. Since small, Shirota not like fighting. He misses a quiet and as free as compared to Japan's Kyoto.

In April 1921, Shirota further studies at Kyoto University. When he began teaching in the medical field, he was interested to learn about microorganisms and to study the disease-causing microorganisms. In Inadani, Nagano, where Shirota grew arid land can not be planted with field crops. Many are living in poverty. Due to poverty, children do not get nutritious food so their bodies become weak. Many children died of dysentery. So Shirota was determined to find drugs that can eradicate diseases such as Dysentery and typhus, and also examine how to prevent the spread of this disease.

Shirota was his studies in the spring of 1925. The above recommendations of Professor Kiyono, he continued his research of interest to microbiologists. At that time, research Shirota experienced strides compared to when she was studying. In his research found bacteria Shirota dangerous as typhus and Dysentery germs that enter the body can cause disease. In the human stomach are beneficial bacteria that protect health and fight against harmful bacteria. Lactobacillus bacteria are examples of good bacteria in the human stomach. Then Shirota thought to find Lactobacillus bacteria from nature and then to propagate and strengthen it to drink. In this way, harmful bacteria can be eliminated and natural health can be maintained. Shirota to continue research to strengthen the Lactobacillus.

In 1939, Shirota met and married her choice, Yoshie. They start a new life in Kamigyoku in Kyoto. The following year, Shirota received a PhD in medicine and began to teach at the University of Kyoto. At the end of next year, Shirota received a PhD in the medical field and began to teach at the University of Kyoto. Shirota life was so happy when the birth of his son, Takane and Mari. After that Shirota received a letter from the government to pursue the war and defend the country. Shirota is assigned as a military doctor. Then, in July 1938, he had to cross the sea when assigned to teach as a professor at the University Medical Harupin, China. When the outbreak of the war in China, Shirota has come back to Japan.

Shirota Shirota Research Centre set up in January 1939. Shirota are willing to stop teaching to promote Yakult. At that time Japan was transformed into a military state money used to build warships and tanks from the Provide food for the people. Children who are growing up not getting enough food. Finally, many died due to lack of nutritious food. Yakult is sold at a low price so that anyone can buy.

In 1941, Yoshie, Shirota wife had died. At the same time the outbreak of war. The war continued for four years. Shirota full of life and risking his life to work again Yakult business with friends. In 1950, production and marketing of Yakult is restarted. In 1955, Shirota move its headquarters to Tokyo Yakult he popularized. With his research as a medical expert and success as a businessman, Shirota had the opportunity to attend the International Seminar of Microbiology in the Soviet Union in 1966. In 1969, Shirota efforts have been recognized with the Award of Tokyoku Kunyon Jitsusho Jusho.

Now the company has been successful Yakult food and beverage products. By using Lactobacillus and other microorganisms, cosmetics and medical products are produced. Yakult continues to grow and expanded rapidly until now.

Minoru Shirota died on 10 March 1982 at the age of 82 years.

Reference: Magazine "Shogaku Sannensei" (Primary Schools Standart 3) October and November 1990, of the Company "Shogakukan"

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