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 unveiled in Singapore
Held at Rakuten Crimson House Singapore, the event served as a platform for Rakuten Kobo to share its vision for the future of digital reading and its dedication to serving the diverse needs of eBook readers. Michael Tamblyn, Rakuten Kobo’s CEO, addressed members of the media and industry partners, highlighting key trends shaping the eBook market and the opportunities the company is pursuing globally.
“This marks an exciting new chapter in the Kobo story,” Tamblyn stated. “Our driving force has always been about improving the reading experience and making it better for readers around the world.” He also emphasized that Kobo is adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of reading habits, noting, “There are so many services competing for our time and attention. Today’s readers are looking for convenience, personalization and a seamless experience with instant access to content.”
Why Singapore and Malaysia? A strategic investment in Asia
Rakuten Kobo’s decision to launch Kobo Plus in Singapore and Malaysia reflects a firm belief in the potential of the Asian digital reading market. The successful launch of Kobo Plus in Taiwan, another Asian market, and Kobo’s strength in providing multilingual digital content, make Singapore and Malaysia ideal locations for expansion. Furthermore, the proactive government policies in both Singapore and Malaysia that promote reading will likely contribute to the growth and adoption of Kobo Plus.
Singapore’s position as a regional hub further solidifies its importance in Rakuten Kobo’s plans. Tamblyn noted that the increasing number of Kobo eReaders being used in the market, particularly through connections to library services like OverDrive and the Singapore public libraries, was a key factor in the decision.
Tamblyn also highlighted the significant growth of the audiobook market in Asia. In fact, market research indicates the global audiobook market is valued at approximately $7.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $13.03 billion by 2030, increasing at a rate of nearly 11% per year. Kobo Plus aims to capitalize on this trend by offering a cost-effective way for readers to access and enjoy stories in audio format.
Julian Chou, General Manager of Rakuten Kobo Asia Pacific, shared his perspective on the expansion, noting, “Following the successful launch of Kobo Plus in Taiwan and Hong Kong in 2024, we saw Kobo eReader sales in Singapore and Malaysia increase significantly last year. With over 300,000 existing Kobo members in Singapore, this growth was particularly strong among multilingual readers in their 20s-40s, demonstrating a keen reading culture in these markets.”
Kobo Plus: Addressing the needs of readers
Kobo Plus is designed to meet the evolving needs of readers by offering a convenient and affordable way to access a vast library of eBooks and audiobooks. The subscription model removes the risk associated with purchasing individual books, encouraging readers to explore new authors and genres. Recognizing the diverse tastes of readers, Kobo Plus offers millions of eBooks and audiobooks across 23 countries and regions, including a rich selection of 2 million eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.
Tamblyn explained that Kobo Plus eliminates the risk of purchasing a book that a reader might not enjoy: Specifically, “When you remove the risk of choosing a book that doesn’t quite meet expectations, readers are much more likely to explore new authors or genres they aren’t familiar with.”
Noting increased engagement among Kobo Plus subscribers, he explained: “We’ve found that people using subscription services like Kobo Plus spend twice as much time reading compared to those who buy books one at a time. The unlimited access we provide encourages people to read more and dive deeper into books, rather than turning to other forms of entertainment.”
The next chapter of digital reading in Southeast Asia
Going forward, Rakuten Kobo has ambitious plans for the region. As Chou stated, “building on the successful launches of Kobo Plus in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and now in Singapore and Malaysia, we hope to expand to other Southeast Asian countries, offering not only Kobo Plus, but also Kobo eReaders and our content service.”
The next chapter of digital reading in Southeast Asia is about to be written, and Kobo is leading the way.
