People & Culture

  • 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
    Rakuten demonstrated its ongoing commitment to empowering women through a series of global initiatives for International Women's Day (IWD) this part March.

    Empower, Inspire and Act: Rakuten Celebrates International Women’s Day Worldwide

    Rakuten’s dedication to inclusion extends far beyond a single day, and this past March, the company amplified its commitment through a series of global initiatives for International Women’s Day (IWD). With the aim to “Empower, Inspire and Act,” Rakuten offices worldwide dedicated the entire month to fostering meaningful conversations, amplifying voices and inspiring action…

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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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  • People & Culture
    With the festive season just around the corner, French shoppers are gearing up for Christmas with a renewed sense of optimism.

    French shoppers embrace optimism and smart spending in 2024

    With the festive season just around the corner, French shoppers are gearing up for Christmas with a renewed sense of optimism and a keen eye for strategic spending. The latest 2024 Christmas Barometer, conducted by IPSOS for Rakuten of 2,500 French people, reveals some significant shifts in consumer behavior compared to last year. French shoppers are not only more positive about their purchasing p…

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  • Blog
    Two Rakuten employees hold up the Gold Award from work with Pride 2024, Japan’s leading benchmark for corporate LGBTQ+ inclusion.

    Rakuten named Gold Award winner by work with Pride for 8th Year: Recognizing commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion

    For the 8th consecutive year, Rakuten Group has been honored with the prestigious Gold Award from work with Pride, Japan’s leading benchmark for corporate LGBTQ+ inclusion. Announced on November 14, 2024, the achievement is more than just a recognition — it reflects Rakuten’s deep commitment to creating a workplace where diversity thrives, and every employee feels empowered to be their authentic s…

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  • Blog
    Halloween at Rakuten was a celebration of creativity, camaraderie, and a dash of spooky fun. Here are some of the highlights from this year's festivities!

    Witch you were here: Rakuten employees haunt Halloween 2024

    As the leaves turn color and the air gets crisp, Rakuten gears up for one of its most anticipated events of the year – Halloween! Our global offices once again came alive with spooky decorations and creative costumes this October, from eerie ghosts to beloved pop culture characters. At Rakuten, Halloween is not just about dressing up. It’s a fantastic opportunity for team bonding and to showcase R…

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  • People & Culture
    Discover how Rakuten employees are making a social impact through volunteering, mentoring and more with the Community Empowerment Season.

    Community Empowerment Season: How Rakuten employees are creating social impact

    Rakuten is committed to driving positive change in society by empowering local communities through employee action. One initiative at the forefront of this effort is Community Empowerment Season, a new program launched this year that has already made significant strides in supporting communities around Japan. Rakuten Today sat down with Akiyo Hosokawa of the Social Impact Group, who shared some in…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten employees, family and friends couldn’t wait to go into the office on a Saturday when the company held its Rakuten Family Day 2024 event in Tokyo.

    “Little Rakuten World” on display at Family Day 2024

    Rakuten employees, family and friends couldn’t wait to go into the office on a Saturday earlier this month when the company held its annual Rakuten Family Day 2024 event in Tokyo. Under the theme of “Little Rakuten World,” the event gave attendees a taste of Rakuten’s diverse ecosystem, employee clubs, sustainability initiatives, unique culture and more. Celebrating diversity, connecting cultures…

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  • Blog
    At Rakuten Optimism 2024, Ryunosuke Fukai of COTEN Inc., and Rakuten's Ryo Matsumura discussed how historical insights can help us envision the future.

    The power of the past: How history informs better decision making

    In the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution, powered by the steam engine, transformed the British Isles, leading to the emergence of highly successful global companies that capitalized on the transformative technologies sweeping the country. Fast forward to today, and companies around the world are grappling with generative AI and its similarly groundbreaking potential. In these times of g…

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