Yakult, Danone End Strategic Collaboration, Remain Partners

Japan-based Yakult Honsha Co. ended its strategic collaboration partnership with its leading shareholder Danone SA. Although the companies agreed to maintain their joint operations in markets, such as India, their new working deal is now based on what the companies refer to as "cooperation framework". There were reports of strains in the companies' relationship, as Yakult executives time after time resisted efforts of Danone to increase its 20 percent stake in the Japanese company.