| 1930: |
Born in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture. |
| 1950: |
Enrolled at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tokyo for undergraduate study. |
| 1953: |
Enrolled at the Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tokyo.
Started conducting research on intestinal flora.
Developed a new bacteria culture method (BL agar), and discovered that bifidobacteria were dominant in human adults. |
| 1958: |
Awarded a doctorate degree in agriculture, based on taxonomical research on lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
Became a researcher at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (“RIKEN”).
Started studying the gut flora of various animal species. |
| 1962: |
Conducted an observational study on domesticated chickens and discovered a pattern of change that occurred in the chickens’ intestinal flora as they aged. |
| 1964: |
Published a paper in a German bacteriology journal, on the topic of how chickens’ intestinal flora changes with age.
Traveled to Germany to study at the Free University of Berlin. Conducted taxonomical research on lactic acid bacteria.
Consumed plain yogurt regularly for the first time and experienced its benefits firsthand. |
| 1966: |
Returned to Japan. |
| 1967: |
Identified certain taxonomical confusion concerning lactic acid bacteria that existed in Japan at the time.
Started studying certain biological patterns that applied to human intestinal flora, and the health benefits of fermented milk products. |
| 1969: |
Presented a hypothesis on the correlation between intestinal flora and health.
Published a paper on the lactic acid bacteria taxonomy model covering humans and animals in a German bacteriology journal. |
| 1972: |
Published papers on the relationship between aging and intestinal flora and also on the propagation method of intestinal bacteria in a German bacteriology journal. |
| 1973: |
Published papers on the stability of intestinal flora and the difference in intestinal flora composition among different individuals in a German bacteriology journal. |
| 1976: |
Received the Japan Prize of Agricultural Science.
Discovered the lifespan-extending effect of yogurt consumption in a mouse study. |
| 1977: |
Received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General’s Award.
Discovered the effects of yogurt to prevent cancer and nephritis in a study of mice and hamsters. |
| 1978: |
Authored Chonai saikin no hanashi (Introduction to intestinal bacteria) (Iwanami Shinsho).
Continued to author a number of books for the general public and experts. |
| 1979: |
Started studying the relationship between intestinal flora and diseases. |
| 1980: |
Published information on the health-enhancing effects of yogurt. |
| 1982: |
Became a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo.
Published information on the effect of fructo-oligosaccharides that improved intestinal flora. |
| 1988: |
Received the Japan Academy Prize for a systematic study of intestinal microbiota. |
| 1990: |
Retired from the University of Tokyo. Became a professor at Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University. |
| 1997: |
Retired from Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University. |
| 2002: |
Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. |
| 2003: |
Received the Momofuku Ando Award (Grand Prize). |
