Sports & Entertainment
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Blog
Rakuten Kobo’s push for smarter, more personal reading
As AI and digital transformation continue to reshape our lives, the simple pleasure of reading a good book remains a fundamental human activity. Yet even this age-old practice is undergoing changes. As Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, explained during a headlining keynote at Rakuten AI Optimism 2025 in Yokohama, Japan, Kobo isn’t just selling books; the company is adapting to technological sh…
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Swinging smarter with Rakuten GORA’s AI powered analysis
Imagine having a personal golf coach that tirelessly analyzes every nuance of your swing – without costing a fortune. Rakuten GORA, a leading golf course reservation site in Japan, is now making that dream a reality for golfers across the country with its innovative AI-powered swing analysis feature. This cutting-edge beta feature is a collaboration between Rakuten GORA, the Rakuten Institute…
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Rakuten Kobo expands Kobo Plus in Asia, reinforcing commitment to readers worldwide
Rakuten Kobo is bringing its all-you-can-read Kobo Plus subscription service to Singapore and Malaysia, marking a major expansion in Asia and a significant step in its global mission to empower readers. The move, marked by a recent media event in Singapore, underscores the company’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable reading options worldwide. Rakuten Kobo’s vision unvei…
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From local charm to global phenomenon: The success of Rakuten Panda
Celebrating their 11th anniversary and the premiere of their very own anime series, 2024 was an eventful year for Rakuten’s beloved mascot, Rakuten Panda (Okaimono Panda). Beyond Japan, Rakuten Panda has also made waves internationally, gaining recognition in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. As their presence continues to grow overseas, now is the perfect time to look back…
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Vissel Kobe delivers championship built on heart and hard work
In December 2024, Vissel Kobe once again etched their name in Japanese soccer history, successfully defending their J.League title with a dominant 3-0 victory over Shonan Bellmare at Noevir Stadium Kobe. This victory not only secured their second-ever J.League championship but also completed a historic domestic double following their victory in the Emperor’s Cup just a month earlier. The tea…
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Tsundoku, obi collecting and autumn reading: Rakuten Books survey
‘Tis the season for getting cozy with a good book – at least according to the most recent survey by Rakuten Books, Rakuten’s online platform in Japan for physical entertainment. Over 10,000 users were quizzed about their habits, nearly 30% of whom revealed that they read every day, with another third reading at least weekly. Most prefer to sink into their books during relaxed weekend hours (…
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sulvam ‘by R’ takes to the runway in Tokyo and Paris events
September is a highly fashionable time of year at Japan, as designers gather to showcase their latest creations for Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO. Rakuten has sponsored the event since 2019 and launched the ‘by R’ initiative in 2020. This ambitious project aims to empower the Japanese fashion scene by placing the spotlight on select, unique brands loved by a broad range of fans in Japan a…
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A festival of sports, inclusion and sustainability at Tokyo Dome
This article was originally published on syncSPORTS by Rakuten and translated into English. On a recent evening in Tokyo, baseball fans gathered for a summer celebration of sports: the Rakuten Super Baseball Game. Spectators were treated to more than a thrilling game between the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, as Tokyo Dome transformed into a hub of diverse athletic ac…
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The best of tech, sports and culture at Rakuten Future Festival 2024
Over four summer days, Rakuten Optimism 2024 turned Tokyo Big Sight into a vibrant hub of technology, sports and culture, drawing approximately 66,000 attendees of all ages and interests eager to experience the future. As part of Rakuten’s largest annual event, the Future Festival offered visitors a glimpse into the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. From AI-powered games to cutting-edge dron…
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