Tech & Innovation

  • Blog
    2024 was a transformative year in Rakuten’s AI growth journey, marked by groundbreaking advancements across our ecosystem. Here are some of the highlights.
    1 week ago 6 min read

    Rakuten AI in 2024: A year of empowerment

    2024 was truly a transformative year in Rakuten’s AI growth journey, marked by groundbreaking advancements across our ecosystem. From the launch of our high-performance Japanese large language models (LLMs) and AI-powered tools like Rakuten Link AI, to expanding partnerships with OpenAI and L’Oréal Japan, we made significant strides in our mission as an AI-empowerment company. With a rock-solid co…

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  • Blog
    Why Rakuten Mobile's network keeps getting better: Vice CTO Takeshita explains
    2 weeks ago 6 min read

    Why Rakuten Mobile’s network keeps getting better: Vice CTO Takeshita explains

    By Hiroshi Takeshita, Vice CTO of Rakuten Mobile When Rakuten Mobile launched its mobile phone carrier services in April 2020, we knew we were entering a market renowned for its exceptional standards. Service providers in Japan offer impeccable coverage and lightning-fast connection speeds, setting a formidable benchmark for any new entrant. Despite these challenges, we embarked on a journey to de…

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  • Blog
    LangChain CEO Harrison Chase and founding engineer Will Fu-Hinthorn shared how their technology is bridging the gap between AI potential and business reality.
    3 weeks ago 4 min read

    From AI hype to real-world tools: Rakuten teams up with LangChain

    In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, separating hype from practical business value remains a crucial challenge. At Rakuten, that challenge is being met head-on through an innovative partnership with LangChain, a startup that builds AI infrastructure tools to help companies turn powerful language models into practical business applications. At a recent event at Rakuten’s Tokyo…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten Group's Ting Cai is on a mission to build principles and practices that can guide society toward a future where AI tools augment human capabilities.
    December 20, 2024 7 min read

    Inside Rakuten AI: Ting Cai on AI innovation and responsibility

    In this series, we sit down with Rakuten AI leaders for a deep dive into the stories behind this transformative technology and the inspiring individuals driving Rakuten’s vision of AI for all. It is estimated that AI will contribute nearly 20 trillion US dollars to the global economy through 2030, accounting for 3.5% of GDP worldwide, according to a 2024 IDC report. As this exciting new technology…

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  • Blog
    With the theme "AI-nization 4.all," Rakuten Technology Conference 2024 featured in-depth discussions on cutting-edge advancements and future possibilities.
    December 4, 2024 4 min read

    Rakuten Technology Conference 2024: Empowering the Future with AI

    On November 16, 2024, Rakuten Technology Conference returned for its 16th edition, transforming the company’s Tokyo HQ, and eight satellite locations globally, into a hub of innovation and tech exploration.  As usual, the engineer-led event brought together a diverse community of tech business leaders, engineers and enthusiasts from across the globe to participate in informative stage session…

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  • Blog
    Makoto Watanabe, CEO of mov shares insights into being a key player in empowering the businesses that are empowering Japan's economic future.
    November 30, 2024 4 min read

    Meet mov, Rakuten’s partners in empowerment 

    Entrepreneur Makoto Watanabe has a dream to revitalize Japan. Since 2015, Watanabe’s company mov has worked to support Japanese businesses in navigating the complexities of online marketing to welcome inbound tourists and domestic customers alike. mov recently made headlines in Japan for completing its Series B funding first round, raising around 1.5 billion yen. The additional funds came from exi…

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  • Blog
    In Japan, women represent only 16% of graduates in STEM fields. As a pioneer of tech-driven business, Rakuten is leveraging its position to address this.
    November 23, 2024 2 min read

    Rakuten inspires young minds to bridge the STEM gender gap

    Worldwide, according to the Global Gender Gap Report (2023) by World Economic Forum, women comprise only 29.2% of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workforce, compared to nearly 50% of non-STEM occupations. In Japan, the disparity is even more stark, with women representing only 16% of graduates in STEM fields. As a pioneer of tech-driven business in Japan, Rakuten i…

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  • Rakuten Innovation
    Rakuten Mobile has officially surpassed 8 million subscribers. The achievement comes just 4.5 years after the company’s launch as a mobile network operator.
    November 9, 2024 5 min read

    Rakuten Mobile has surpassed 8 million subscribers

    Rakuten Mobile reached a major milestone last month, officially surpassing 8 million subscribers on October 18, 2024*1. And that’s not the only thing that’s increasing – the MNO is also gaining popularity as a primary line. Rakuten Mobile’s MNO main line usage among customers increased the most out of all mobile carriers in Japan according to a recent independent third-part…

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  • Blog
    Experience the future of tech at Rakuten Technology Conference 2024 on Saturday, November 16 at Rakuten Crimson House in Tokyo.
    November 7, 2024 3 min read

    AI-nization 4.all: A look ahead to Rakuten Technology Conference 2024

    Experience an exhilarating dive into the future of tech at Rakuten Technology Conference 2024. Set for Saturday, November 16 at Rakuten Crimson House in Tokyo, plus additional satellite venues, the 16th edition of the event will once again bring together a global community of business leaders, engineers, researchers and tech enthusiasts to explore the future horizons of technology. AI-nization 4.a…

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