Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.
The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.
However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.
Rakuten Goes Forth
Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/
Thu, July 31, 2025
TORONTO, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getting paid for shopping just got a major upgrade. Rakuten.ca is thrilled to introduce Interac e-Transfer as a brand-new, faster, and more secure way for members to cash in on their Cash Back - straight to their bank accounts in minutes via email.
Interac e-Transfer is Canada’s trusted, real-time bank-to-bank digital money transfer service, allowing Rakuten members to receive their Cash Back directly into their bank account using only an email address. With over 750 retailers, such as H&M, New Balance, Sephora, Mejuri, Best Buy, Expedia, Sporting Life, Well.ca, HelloFresh and more, offering Cash Back on everything from fashion and beauty to travel, takeout, gift cards and more, Rakuten’s new Interac e-Transfer option means rewards land in bank accounts faster and more securely. Now, Canadians can enjoy the rewards of their shopping even sooner.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...id-shopping-just-got-100000571.html
July 31, 2025
Rakuten Mobile and Wolt Japan's Exciting Collaboration
In a groundbreaking development for the food industry, Rakuten Mobile and Wolt Japan have formalized a foundational agreement aimed at exploiting artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DX) to enhance the operational landscape of the restaurant business. This agreement was signed on July 31, 2025, marking a significant step towards the integration of advanced technologies in the food sector.
The core objective of this partnership is to combine the respective business services and assets of both companies. By harnessing their strengths, the collaboration aims to provide comprehensive support to restaurants in overcoming a diverse array of operational challenges. The ultimate goal is to improve service quality and elevate customer satisfaction levels across the board.
One of the standout features of this partnership is the integration of Rakuten Mobile’s AI and DX expertise into Wolt's platform. Through this collaboration, Wolt’s affiliated restaurants will gain access to valuable operational insights and data utilization strategies that will enable them to optimize their business processes. This initiative aims to lay the groundwork for a robust AI and DX platform.
https://third-news.com/article/f5a63000-6dd3-11f0-98f3-9ca3ba0a67df
Tokyo, July 31, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today announced it has expanded its 5G (Sub6) network coverage area in parts of the Kyushu/Okinawa, Shikoku and Chugoku regions by up to 100% compared to December 2024, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to improve network quality.
Starting in January 2025, Rakuten Mobile has increased radio capacity for its 5G (Sub6) base stations in areas of the Kyushu/Okinawa, Shikoku and Chugoku regions. This has resulted in 5G network coverage gains of approximately 100% in Okinawa Prefecture and 40% in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Other target areas achieved 5G coverage increases of up to 10%.
Rakuten Mobile has also strengthened indoor coverage in large commercial facilities and enhanced the use of infrastructure sharing at stadiums in the targeted regions where 5G (Sub6) coverage has been expanded. Specifically, measures aimed at improving network quality were implemented at locations such as Konoha Mall in Fukuoka City, Egao Kenko Stadium in Kumamoto City, and minamoa/Hotel Granvia Horishima South Gate in Hiroshima City.
Following the relaxation of measures preventing interference between mobile wireless networks and satellite communications in shared bandwidth frequencies, Rakuten Mobile has also been expanding coverage and improving network quality in the Kanto (which includes Tokyo), Tokai (which includes Nagoya) and Kansai (which includes Osaka) regions by increasing the radio transmission output of existing base stations. Additionally, the company has been optimizing base station parameters to enable smoother transitions between 4G and 5G.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2025/0731_01/
Rakuten Group Inc. launched its own AI assistant this week in a bid to fend off rivals and strengthen its position as the provider of myriad services, from e-commerce to stock trading.
The Japanese internet giant, often equated to Amazon.com Inc., unveiled a beta version of the Rakuten AI web-based app that can help users shop, listen to music, learn languages, translate and code. The plan is to keep adding more agents that serve different purposes, the company said.
The early highlight is how the adviser is linked to Rakuten’s flagship e-commerce service Ichiba. I tried it and got some good tips for affordable and attractive T-shirts, though I ran into a glitch when I kept asking for more options. The official launch of Rakuten AI on Ichiba is scheduled for a few months from now.
If the AI-Ichiba combination works smoothly and reliably, it could help Rakuten gain further advantage over Amazon in Japan. The local company’s loyalty points system is deeply ingrained in everyday habits and spending, but the AI tool could lure in less engaged shoppers like me. Speaking as a customer who almost always opts for Amazon over Rakuten, that must mean something.
I find the current Ichiba website dizzyingly busy, making me want to close the window the moment I open it. The Rakuten AI webpage, which resembles that of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is clean and simple. It works well enough in English, even though it primarily targets a Japanese-speaking customer base.
Rakuten AI has dedicated tabs you can click for shopping, fashion, music and translation among other functions. Developing agents for specific purposes helps Rakuten AI yield accurate results without having to rely on expensive, mass-scale language models, according to Ting Cai, the company’s chief of AI and data.
Rakuten can also leverage transaction data from its 44 million monthly active users in Japan to provide more customized and detailed responses to client requests. Data is the equivalent of a “goldmine” in the world of AI, which puts Rakuten at an advantage, founder Hiroshi Mikitani said in a speech at a company event introducing Rakuten AI.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/...nd-investment-assistant
July 31, 2025
Successful validation conducted at Rakuten Mobile’s Cloud Innovation Lab in Tokyo marks significant step to deliver innovative cloud-native telecom solutions and services for mobile operators and enterprise customers.
TOKYO, July 31 2025 - Rakuten Symphony Inc., today announced that its Rakuten Cloud portfolio of products and solutions have been successfully validated with Nokia’s cloud-native core networks products after extensive testing in the Rakuten Mobile Cloud Innovation Lab in Tokyo.
This validation of Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform (CNP) and Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage (CNS) with Nokia Core Networks applications marks a significant step for Rakuten Symphony to deliver an end-to-end cloud-native agile operating model for traditional communication service providers looking to run 4G and 5G networks on a robust telco grade cloud platform with a high degree of programmability and low operating cost.
Partha Seetala, President, Cloud Business Unit, Rakuten Symphony, said, “The successful validation of our award-winning CNP and CNS products with Nokia is a testament to Rakuten Symphony’s commitment to deliver communication service providers with a secure telco-grade cloud platform to deploy modern, flexible and easily programmable network infrastructure built for a 4G and 5G cloud-native core.”
Marcelo Cheminn Madruga, Head of Technology and Platforms, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia, said, “This integration underscores how Nokia's robust multi-cloud strategy helps customers accelerate network transformation on their terms, in a seamless, agile fashion. Leveraging our industry-leading suite of cloud-native products, Rakuten Symphony’s customers can automate, customize and monetize their core networks with total confidence.”
Rakuten Symphony’s validation work with Nokia further underscores ongoing trusted collaboration in support of Rakuten Mobile’s operations in Japan. Nokia has been a core partner supplying a mix of hardware, software and services for the radio, core and optical transport elements of Rakuten Mobile’s network.
Rakuten Cloud Native Platform delivers a high-performance, CNCF-certified horizontal cloud platform that supports diverse workloads across IT and network functions, offering ease-of-use automation with industry-leading features, including Day 0/1/2 automation, data security, and compliance enforcement in cloud-native environments. Rakuten Cloud provides industry-leading cloud-native platform and software-defined storage solutions designed for automation and AI. Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage offers high-performance capabilities at scale for diverse applications and use cases including AI/ML, retail, IoT, and gaming.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/newsroom/...native-core-network-products
The new agentic AI assistant is free to use and will expand to Rakuten Ichiba, the company’s flagship e-commerce marketplace, later this year
In sum – what you need to know:
Live on Link and web app Rakuten – AI is now integrated into the Rakuten Link app and accessible as a standalone web app for all Rakuten ID users.
Built for Japan-first experiences – The AI features deep Japanese language and cultural awareness, delivering context-rich, personalized assistance across Rakuten’s digital services.
Ichiba launch this autumn – Rakuten AI will expand to Rakuten Ichiba later in 2025, offering shoppers tailored recommendations using behavioral insights and AI agents.
Japanese giant Rakuten Group and its communications arm Rakuten Mobile have officially launched Rakuten AI, a next-generation agentic artificial intelligence (AI) platform.
In a release, the company noted that the new agentic AI offering is now available on the Rakuten Link app and via a standalone web app, which is in a beta phase. The new AI assistant is free to use and will expand to Rakuten Ichiba, the company’s flagship e-commerce marketplace, later this year.
The new agentic AI tool was designed to enhance user experiences across Rakuten’s expansive digital services ecosystem, offering deeply personalized interactions. It integrates with sectors including e-commerce, fintech, travel, education, wellness, and entertainment, the Japanese company said.
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250730/...astructure/rakuten-agentic-ai
by Laurie Sullivan , Yesterday
Rakuten Group, a Japanese technology conglomerate with businesses primarily focused on ecommerce, fintech, digital content, and communications, has begun building an AI agentic network to integrate Rakuten AI into a wide range of its tools across the company.
AI chat, AI search with deep think, voice mode, translation, AI reading, coding, problem-solving and image creation are some of the tools the plan will support across affiliate advertising for publishers and consumers.
“When we say affiliate intelligence it’s us tripling down on a hard tech approach to solving the toughest problems in affiliate marketing,” Ben Cox, vice president of AI strategies and operations at Rakuten Advertising, said in a video interview. “We are born from Rakuten, so we are a technology company at the core. There’s no other affiliate network training and building LLMs from scratch.”
Rakuten Group, best known in the U.S. for its cash-back, affiliate and advertising programs, created a suite of AI-powered tools for advertisers and marketers. Affiliate Intelligence is based around a full-funnel global network, AI, and data—the program spearheaded by Cox.
Through the integration, consumers can input queries via text, voice-to-text conversion and image search, and choose from multiple AI-generated prompts for follow-up questions.
Rakuten Advertising Detect, released in late May, identifies ad fraud from usual performance patterns, as well as monitors financial products and competitive rankings such as spikes and dips across a variety of metrics. It is built into the company’s advertising services. Another model can identify advertising in context and determine whether something has gone wrong.
Rakuten, a division of Rakuten Group, is offered in the U.S. as a cash back program with discount codes for online and in-store purchases. It has a presence with more than 2,500 brands on its website.
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/...ns-for-full-fu.html
July 16, 2025
Back in May, Rakuten held its annual Optimism event in Carlsbad, California. It brought together 1,000 marketers across retail, finance, and travel to network and learn by beautiful West Coast beaches. I, tragically, was unable to attend.
I recently caught up with Adam Rostan, Rakuten Advertising’s SVP Product & Technology, to learn more about the platform’s wider roadmap concerning AI.
Here’s what Rostan had to say:
Sol Wilkinson: You just launched Detect, Storefronts, and Prompt. In simple terms, what do they do for your clients?
Adam Rostan: Detect gives brands the visibility they’ve long needed, identifying programme compliance issues, monitoring affiliate behaviour, and helping partnerships operate at their full potential.
Storefronts empowers creators and influencers to curate products in a way that drives authentic engagement and performance, and also helps streamline the customer experience and path to purchase.
Prompt, our newest reporting tool, applies our AI to simplify ad hoc report requests, surfacing actionable insights on performance, audiences, and trends to help marketers make faster, smarter decisions quickly and in plain language.
SW: What sets Rakuten Advertising’s AI apart from what other platforms are doing right now?
AR: What sets us apart is how deeply our AI is rooted in affiliate expertise. We’re not just applying generic models; we’ve built Affiliate Intelligence to reflect decades of network data, partner behaviours, and performance trends. This is all built on the data flywheel concept, where the continuous collection of insights from our network fuels new cycles of customer value and product iterations.
SW: Do you see AI becoming the core engine of affiliate marketing? How will that change the game for advertisers and affiliates?
AR: Absolutely, but it’s not just affiliate, AI is transforming the digital marketing landscape as a whole. What makes Rakuten unique is that we’ve made deliberate investments to be at the forefront of that change.
AI and large language models (LLMs) go beyond abstract potential — they provide the scalability and automation needed to unlock opportunities that were previously impractical, especially across large, complex networks of bespoke partnerships. With emerging capabilities like agentic reasoning, we're beginning to orchestrate proactive, context-aware decision-making support at scale, reshaping how affiliate programmes are managed and optimised.
We have the largest data science team in the industry dedicated specifically to affiliate marketing, and we've invested heavily in the infrastructure to operationalise AI across our platform. Our models are not generic — they’re purpose-built and trained on affiliate-specific, global use cases, giving Rakuten Advertising a significant uniqueness and leadership in the affiliate marketing industry.
At Rakuten, AI is foundational to our culture. It’s not just a layer of technology — it’s embedded in how we think, how we operate, and how we solve challenges for the affiliate ecosystem. We view AI as a driver of industry transformation, reshaping not only our internal processes but also the way our customers engage with our solutions.
With AI, we’re moving beyond traditional optimisation into real-time intelligence, enabling automated recommendations, proactive campaign management, and dynamic performance tuning at scale. This fundamentally changes how advertisers approach partnerships, measurement, and growth. We’re not simply responding to the AI era — we’re helping lead it.
https://hellopartner.com/2025/07/16/...dvertising-talks-new-ai-tools/
[Ono, Yomiuri Shimbun]:
I have two questions. My first question is about the financial results. I understand that each segment is performing well, but looking at the earnings summary, I'm a bit concerned that the net loss has increased compared to the same period last year. I assume this is due to a one-off factor, but if there's any factor you can explain, please let me know.
[Hirose, CFO]:
Regarding the first point about the financial figures, while the operating loss has significantly narrowed and improved, financial income/expenses impacted pre-tax profit. As explained in the video, this is due to fluctuations in the hedging of perpetual subordinated bonds. Normally, if hedge accounting was applied, this would have no impact. Originally, there would be no impact if hedge accounting were applied. However, under IFRS accounting, perpetual subordinated bonds are recorded as capital and their yen value is fixed at the historical rate at the time of issuance. This portion has unrealized gains and losses, but the valuation gains and losses are not reflected in the capital section; only the hedge gains and losses appear in the profit and loss statement. This significant deterioration is the main factor affecting pre-tax profit, with a fluctuation amount of approximately 33.8 billion yen.
[Mikitani, CEO] :
So, it's a technical factor. Basically, it's related to finance, and I hope you understand that, Mr. Ono.
Source: Media Q&A Session of the last Conference Call for Q1/2025
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
(JPY bn, rounded) Q1/24 Q1/25 YoY
Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss) -25.4 -0.3 +25.1
(Reference: Excluding Mobile Segment & Minority Investments) 41.9 52.2 +24.7%
Internet Services Segment 10.5 13.2 +25.8%
FinTech Segment 36.1 43.9 +21.7%
Mobile Segment -65.6 -51.3 +14.3
Adjustments -6.4- 6.1 +0.3
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
August 01, 2025
Rakuten Group's largest experiential event has been redefined as "Rakuten AI Optimism," with an increased focus on AI. At the start of the business conference, Mickey announced the AI agent "Rakuten AI." Furthermore, in over 20 sessions, domestic and international leaders, including Tech companies like Careem, which drives digital transformation in the Middle East, and Wolt Japan, a delivery service provider, discussed various themes centered around AI. This report summarizes the Business Conference, an exhibition digest will be released soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB3r18P7kqE
https://sanctu-ary.com/de/crypto/rakuten-ai-launch/
In allen Genres, einschließlich Shopping, Reisen, Kommunikation und Finanzen, Big Data stärkt die „Fähigkeit zum Verstehen“ und die „Fähigkeit zur Umsetzung“ von Rakuten AI erheblich.
https://sanctu-ary.com/de/crypto/rakuten-ai-launch/
July 28, 2025
On the sidelines of Rakuten Optimism U.S. 2025, Rakuten Rewards Chief Revenue Officer Julie Van Ullen discusses the importance of offering greater value for consumers during our uncertain economic times. She also shares how Rakuten Rewards is leveraging data to drive strategic business outcomes for retailers and how the company is shaping the future of affiliate marketing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJnFNJP1MM4
Operating income also improved in Q1/2025 across all segments, with a year-on-year improvement of 25.1 billion yen from -25.4 billion yen in Q1/2024 to -0.3 billion yen in Q1/2025. In particular, losses in the Mobile segment were significantly reduced.
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/investors/
Tokyo, July 31, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, today announced it has expanded its 5G (Sub6) network coverage area in parts of the Kyushu/Okinawa, Shikoku and Chugoku regions by up to 100% compared to December 2024, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to improve network quality.
Starting in January 2025, Rakuten Mobile has increased radio capacity for its 5G (Sub6) base stations in areas of the Kyushu/Okinawa, Shikoku and Chugoku regions. This has resulted in 5G network coverage gains of approximately 100% in Okinawa Prefecture and 40% in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Other target areas achieved 5G coverage increases of up to 10%.
Rakuten Mobile has also strengthened indoor coverage in large commercial facilities and enhanced the use of infrastructure sharing at stadiums in the targeted regions where 5G (Sub6) coverage has been expanded. Specifically, measures aimed at improving network quality were implemented at locations such as Konoha Mall in Fukuoka City, Egao Kenko Stadium in Kumamoto City, and minamoa/Hotel Granvia Horishima South Gate in Hiroshima City.
Following the relaxation of measures preventing interference between mobile wireless networks and satellite communications in shared bandwidth frequencies, Rakuten Mobile has also been expanding coverage and improving network quality in the Kanto (which includes Tokyo), Tokai (which includes Nagoya) and Kansai (which includes Osaka) regions by increasing the radio transmission output of existing base stations. Additionally, the company has been optimizing base station parameters to enable smoother transitions between 4G and 5G.
Rakuten Mobile is committed to further enhancing its nationwide mobile network quality so that customers can enjoy best-in-class mobile services anywhere in Japan.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20250731_01_lang_en
July 25, 2025
https://www.cardrates.com/news/...ten-card-offers-big-dining-rewards/
Pioneering an AI-driven digital transformation platform to solve challenges in restaurants nationwide
Tokyo, July 31, 2025 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and Wolt Japan K.K. today announced that the two companies have signed a basic agreement that forges a new business alliance to accelerate the adoption of AI and digital transformation across Japan's food service industry.
As part of the alliance, both companies will leverage their respective business-to-business service assets to address critical operational challenges faced by restaurants, significantly enhancing service quality and elevating overall customer experiences.
Rakuten Mobile will deploy its cutting-edge AI and digital transformation expertise, coupled with advanced data analytics capabilities, directly to Wolt's extensive network of merchant partners. This will accelerate the development and deployment of a dedicated AI and digital transformation platform, specifically designed to empower the food service industry.
Kazuhiro Suzuki, Co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile, commented, “At Rakuten Mobile, we are dedicated to driving business transformation through our cutting-edge AI, digital transformation and communication solutions. This alliance with Wolt Japan represents a significant step in our commitment to the food service industry. By combining our strengths, we will accelerate the delivery of tailored solutions that streamline operations, enhance customer engagement and ultimately contribute to the digital advancement of the entire industry.”
Natalia Khizanishvili, General Manager of Wolt Japan K.K., commented, “Wolt's core mission is to empower local businesses and revitalize regional economies. Our collaboration with Rakuten Mobile will enable us to provide our merchant partners with unparalleled tools for operational efficiency and expanded revenue opportunities. Together, we are poised to drive digital transformation for our valued community of restaurants.”
Looking ahead, Rakuten Mobile and Wolt Japan are committed to continuously strengthening their initiatives to drive AI and digital transformation adoption in the restaurant industry, fostering sustainable growth for businesses across Japan.
About Wolt
Wolt is a Helsinki-based technology company with a mission to bring joy, simplicity and earnings to the neighborhoods of the world. Wolt develops a local commerce platform that connects people looking to order food, groceries, and other goods with people interested in selling and delivering them. Wolt was founded in 2014 and joined forces with DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) in 2022. Together, we operate in more than 30 countries today.
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/...20250731_02_lang_en
August 2, 2025
In a bold step towards redefining digital interactions, Rakuten Group, Inc. and Rakuten Mobile, Inc. have officially launched Rakuten AI. This innovative artificial intelligence agent is now accessible through the Rakuten Link app and a beta web application, setting the stage for a tech-forward user experience.
Expanding Features and Reach
Available free of charge, Rakuten AI is primed for a broader rollout, with plans to extend its capabilities to Rakuten Ichiba by Autumn 2025. Designed to streamline interactions within the Rakuten ecosystem, the service boasts an impressive array of features that includes AI chat, voice input, image search, translation services, coding assistance, and customized recommendations. Talk about a virtual assistant that does it all!
Localized for Japanese Users
What sets Rakuten AI apart is its deep understanding of Japanese language and culture, making it particularly relevant for domestic users. Within the Rakuten Link app, customers can engage with Rakuten AI through text, voice, and even image-based queries, while receiving AI-generated suggestions to refine their searches and navigate a plethora of services seamlessly.
A Comprehensive Tool for Everyday and Complex Needs
For Rakuten ID holders, the web app presents additional functionalities, including advanced search capabilities, problem-solving tools, and content creation features. This positions Rakuten AI not just as a daily utility, but as a comprehensive tool capable of tackling more intricate tasks with ease.
https://www.retailnews.asia/...ed-mobile-and-web-shopping-experience/
April 15, 2025
Did you know that, thanks to the recent popularity of Korean products in Japan, many Korean businesses are opening stores on Rakuten Ichiba in Japan? In fact, the transaction value of Korean cosmetics on Rakuten Ichiba has grown approximately ninefold in the last six years, making Rakuten Ichiba an important platform for Korean businesses expanding into the region. At the Rakuten Ichiba Korea Conference 2025 held in Seoul, Rakuten shared strategies and deepened collaboration with Korean merchants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3joEUsOcB5w
August 04, 2025
Introducing Rakuten AI — a powerful AI agent designed to enhance your personal and professional life
Built on Rakuten’s vast and unique data foundation – spanning 70+ businesses and services worldwide
Rakuten AI offers unparalleled capabilities:
Creative Content Generation: From stunning images to polished writing for any context.
Intelligent Translation: Break down language barriers effortlessly.
Advanced Research: Gain deep, comprehensive insights with ease.
Rakuten AI is the embodiment of Omotenashi, or ultimate service — it learns and adapts to your unique needs, ensuring every result and recommendation feels tailor-made. Discover how true personalized AI can transform your daily life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF7pvcmmhzY
“Rakuten isn’t just a mobile company, and we’re not just an e-commerce company. We’re an innovation company with a long history of ‘seeing around corners,’ using technology to build a better future for our customers and a more profitable business,” Cai declared.
He highlighted Rakuten’s pioneering spirit, recalling how the company challenged dominant business models of the time when it launched Rakuten Ichiba in 1997 – an online marketplace connecting merchants with customers across Japan. He also emphasized Rakuten’s bold decision in 2010 to enact “Englishnization,” making English its official internal language and fostering a global mindset.
This entrepreneurial legacy has propelled offerings like Rakuten Card to the top spot as Japan’s #1 credit card, complemented by a comprehensive suite of Fintech services like Rakuten Pay and Rakuten Bank.
More recently, the company disrupted the telecom industry with Rakuten Mobile, built on innovative, industry-disruptive technology and driven by a mission to democratize telecom. “Today, with AI-nization, our initiative to infuse trustworthy, useful AI into everything we do, we think AI has the potential to benefit all of society than any revolution before it,” Cai asserted.
Cai then addressed the challenges facing the telecom industry, noting the stark contrast between the rapid growth and investment in the AI world and the relatively slow growth in telecom. “The telco industry, compared to ‘AI world’ where investment is pouring in and innovation is fast, is slowing,” Cai emphasized. He pointed out a recent PwC report that projected global revenue to grow only 2.9% over the next three years, with similarly modest growth in industry investment. “This isn’t sustainable,” Cai declared. “We need to find an accelerant for growth – and I believe that accelerant will be AI.”
Cai emphasized that the key to unlocking growth lies in embracing a “digital-first, ecosystem-first” mindset, shifting away from legacy approaches. “Being a great connector is no longer enough,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of going beyond basic connectivity and creating value-added services. “Platforms that we use heavily on our phones have become indispensable parts of our daily lives.” He added that Rakuten aims to make its mobile apps a central touchpoint and a gateway to the broader Rakuten Ecosystem.
He connected Rakuten’s vision to the Japanese concept of Omotenashi, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service at a reasonable cost. “This spirit of great service for a reasonable cost drives Rakuten’s entry into the Mobile space, where we aim to deliver unparalleled value and reduce costs for households,” he said.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...em-offerings-unlock-telecom-growth.html
letztes Quartal
zum 30.6.2025 aktuelles Quartal
zum 30.9.2025 nächstes Quartal
zum 31.12.2025 aktuelles Geschäftsjahr
zum 31.12.2026 nächstes Geschäftsjahr
Anzahl Analysten 9 9 9 13 13
Mittlere Schätzung 559.501 JPY 585.435 JPY 661.508 JPY 2.400.196 JPY 2.570.268 JPY
Vorjahr§537.284 JPY 566.713 JPY 661.612 JPY 2.279.233 JPY 2.400.196 JPY
Veröffentlichung am 08.08.2025 06.11.2025 17.02.2026 17.02.2026
https://www.finanzen.net/schaetzungen/rakuten
Quartal zum 30.9.2025
Quartal zum 30.6.2025
Quartal zum 31.3.2025
Quartal zum31.12.2024
Quartal zum 30.9.2024
Mittlere Schätzung 8,000 JPY 5,200 JPY - - -
Tatsächlicher Wert - - -34,080 JPY -5,610 JPY -34,600 JPY
https://www.finanzen.net/schaetzungen/rakuten