Sports & Entertainment

  • Blog
    Swinging smarter with Rakuten GORA's AI powered analysis

    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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  • Blog
    Rakuten Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn (fourth from the left) and Rakuten Kobo APAC General Manager Julian Chou (second from the left), along with the rest of the team, are leading the expansion of Kobo Plus and digital reading across Southeast Asia.

    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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  • Blog
    From a sticker pack to international recognition in Taiwan, South Korea and beyond, discover how Rakuten Panda continues to charm audiences worldwide.

    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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  • Blog
    In December 2024, Vissel Kobe once again etched their name in history, successfully defending their J-League title with a 3-0 victory over Shonan Bellmare.

    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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  • Blog
    Japanese readers are finding ways to adapt their reading habits to contemporary life and preserve the magic of losing oneself in a good book.

    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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  • Blog
    Rakuten partnered with rising star brand sulvam to hold a runway show at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO S/S 2025, and supported the brand's Paris launch.

    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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  • Blog
    At Rakuten Super Baseball Game, Rakuten Eagles fans gathered for a summer celebration of sports, diverse athletic activities and interactive experiences.

    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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  • Blog
    As part of Rakuten’s largest interactive event, the Future Festival took center stage, offering a glimpse into the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

    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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  • Blog
    Amidst cheers and camaraderie, the Rakuten Super Game 2024 took center stage at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium in Taiwan.

    A celebration of sport, fans and community at Rakuten Super Game 2024

    Rakuten Super Game 2024 took center stage at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium earlier this month, bringing together various Rakuten businesses to celebrate the company’s ecosystem in Taiwan with a unique and engaging experience for fans. Part of the Super Summer Series 2024, the packed-house event saw the Rakuten Monkeys face off against the Fubon Guardians in a thrilling contest that wa…

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