Rakuten

Rakuten, Inc. is a Japanese multinational technology company headquartered in Tokyo. It operates a range of internet services with e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications as its core businesses. The flagship service is Rakuten Ichiba, one of Japan’s largest online marketplaces, and the company promotes an integrated ecosystem that rewards users with Rakuten Points across its services.

Founded in 1997 by Hiroshi Mikitani, Rakuten began as an online marketplace and expanded through acquisitions and new ventures. Notable acquisitions include Kobo, the e-book platform, in 2012; Ebates (now Rakuten Rewards) in 2014; and the messaging app Viber in 2014. The group has since grown its fintech and communications portfolio with services such as Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Card, Rakuten Pay, and Rakuten Mobile, a mobile network launched in Japan.

Globally, Rakuten operates in multiple markets across Asia, North America, and Europe, offering commerce, payments, and digital content services. It emphasizes loyalty and cross-service integration through the Rakuten Points program and data-driven marketing solutions for merchants. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and forms the core of the Rakuten Group, with a structure of subsidiary and affiliate companies aimed at building a global platform for consumers and merchants.