Mumbai: Probiotic food company Yakult Danone India has announced the appointment of Hiroshi Hamada as managing director effective 4 April. Hamada took charge from Minoru Shimada who had led the company, a 50:50 JV between global probiotic majors Yakult Honsha, Japan and Groupe Danone of France for over ten years.

With more than 33 years of experience in the corporate world, Hamada has had a chequered career in different verticals, which include accounts, corporate planning, sales and marketing. "Based in New Delhi at Yakult India's head office, he will be leading the business operations for the Indian market," said the statement.

During his tenure at Yakult Honsha, the parent company located in Japan, Hamada was instrumental in the establishment of the Yakult European Research Institute in Belgium and played a critical role in joint clinical trials with the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, according to the company. He also played a pivotal role in building an effective home delivery business model in Yakult Indonesia, before moving to Yakult Malaysia as marketing director for six years.

"Probiotics is not new to India, but we continue to engage, propagate and educate the health benefits of the unique probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) in Yakult which is scientifically validated to improve intestinal health and build immunity,” said Hiroshi Hamada. "India offers immense opportunities for us by its vast consumer base and its diverse geography.”