Sports & Entertainment

  • Blog

    K-Dramas in the spotlight: Rakuten Viki celebrates third annual K-Drama Day

    K-Drama Day 2025 is quickly becoming a yearly highlight for fans of Asian entertainment. For the third consecutive year, Rakuten Viki proudly hosted its annual K-Drama Day, bringing together millions of fans from across the globe to celebrate Korean dramas and culture. This year’s K-Drama Day, held from September 26 to 30, was designed to be bigger and more immersive than ever. Marking a fir…

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  • Blog
    Vissel Kobe celebrated its 30th anniversary with two matches that brought together current players and the legends who shaped the club’s history.

    Vissel Kobe turns 30: A celebration of legacy, community, and global connections

    Vissel Kobe celebrated its 30th anniversary this summer, marking the occasion with two matches that brought together current players and the legends who shaped the club’s history. Fans filled Noevir Stadium Kobe for both games, celebrating not only the team’s past and present, but also its deep ties to the city Friendly Match: Vissel Kobe vs. FC Barcelona – A global spectacle On July 27, 2025, a p…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten Kobo is embracing technological advancements to evolve the traditional practice of reading, as highlighted by CEO Michael Tamblyn at Rakuten AI Optimism 2025.

    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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  • 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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