Sports & Entertainment

  • Blog
    Basketball standout Kaine Roberts has had an unconventional journey, from pro player in Japan’s B.League to Division I college recruit in the U.S.
    2 weeks ago

    Rising college basketballer Kaine Roberts shares his underrated success story

    Few NCAA athletes can claim to have played at a professional level before ever checking in to their first college contest. For incoming Stony Brook Seawolves basketball standout Kaine Roberts however, it’s just the next step in an unconventional journey that has seen the rising 19-year-old point guard go from playing professionally as an amateur in Japan’s B.League to Division I college recruit in…

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  • Blog
    A Rakuten Insight survey reveals recent camping trends: Wanderers are turning to the great outdoors to enjoy a local experience.
    3 weeks ago

    Tired of being stuck indoors? Research reveals recent camping trends in Japan

    Love nature but don’t love the hassle of camping? The glamping services of UFUFU VILLAGE in Shizuoka Prefecture might just have you covered. For many in Japan, 2021 has not been a year of ambitious travel plans. While the country has imposed no official lockdown, a string of long-running state of emergency declarations has much of the population avoiding unnecessary travel. But not everyone is rea…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten Super Ladies is a pro golf tournament which made its debut late last month - the three-day, 54-hole competition was won by Yuri Yoshida.
    August 19, 2021

    Rakuten Super Ladies JLPGA tournament debuts with a bang

    In a year where Japan’s professional golf scene is earning international attention, the new Rakuten Super Ladies JLPGA tournament made its debut late last month. The three-day, 54-hole competition, which ran July 29-31 at the Tokyu Grand Oak Golf Club in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, featured a commanding performance by tourney winner Yuri Yoshida, who claimed the ¥14,400,000 winner’s purse.…

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  • Blog
    New Rakuten TV documentary The Giants tells the story of how four giant Hawaiians played a role in modernizing one of the world’s most ancient sports.
    July 28, 2021

    “The Giants” is the larger-than-life story of four Americans who modernized Sumo

    Equal parts sport and ceremony, Sumo has evolved for centuries alongside Japanese culture to the point that it can sometimes seem impenetrable to the casual observer. Upon closer inspection however, modern Sumo is a surprisingly international sport with the skills, drama and athleticism to appeal to any sports fan. The new Rakuten TV documentary The Giants tells the story of how four giant Hawaiia…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten announced a new sponsorship agreement with 21-year old up-and-coming star LPGA golfer Mone Inami on April 29, 2021.
    May 17, 2021

    Rakuten launches partnership with rising golf sensation Mone Inami

    One of Japan’s fastest-rising pro golf stars is joining the Rakuten family. On April 29, Rakuten announced the signing of 21-year old Mone Inami to a sponsorship agreement that will see the world-ranked LPGA golfer don the Rakuten logo on her cap. Inami will also feature in a series of promotions spanning the Rakuten Ecosystem, including online marketplace Rakuten Ichiba, online travel agenc…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten TV subscribers in Japan now have easy access to some of the funniest and most family-friendly entertainment from Nickelodeon.
    April 28, 2021

    Rakuten and ViacomCBS team up to bring Nickelodeon content to Japan

    Starting today, fans in Japan now have easy access to some of the funniest and most family-friendly entertainment from Nickelodeon’s stable of world-famous properties. Thanks to a recently-announced, wide-ranging partnership between Rakuten and ViacomCBS Networks International, the kids streaming service Nick+ is now available on Rakuten’s video-on-demand platform Rakuten TV, bringing world-class…

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  • Blog
    First-team FC Barcelona players activate Rakuten in Europe with new "Most Likely To" digital content series on Rakuten Sports’ channels beginning March 18.
    March 18, 2021

    Most Likely To: FC Barcelona players activate Rakuten in Europe

    Many factors have helped Japan’s leading internet services company grow into a global brand. The services themselves have garnered headlines around the world on their own merit, but few would argue that the biggest boost to Rakuten’s brand awareness in Europe has come from its partnership with FC Barcelona. And a new digital campaign is about to build on that momentum. A new content series called…

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  • Blog
    Rakuten announced strategic global partnership with LivOn Global, Yudai Baba’s agency, to support the management and growth of Baba’s basketball career.
    March 16, 2021

    Rakuten to Power Japanese International Basketball Star Yudai Baba

    Yudai Baba doesn’t believe in taking the tried-and-tested approach. “Dream big,” says the 25-year-old basketball star. “You don’t have to follow others’ footsteps to succeed.” I’ll do my best to invigorate Japanese basketball and to inspire the younger generations.Yudai Baba A rising international basketball star with a career that has so far spanned three continents, Baba is proving that hi…

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  • Blog
    The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have signed Masahiro Tanaka to a two-year deal, after a seven-year stint with the New York Yankees.
    March 9, 2021

    Masahiro Tanaka, international star pitcher and hero of Northern Japan, comes home

    On January 28, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles fans must have felt like Christmas had arrived 11 months early when their club announced that it had signed Masahiro Tanaka to a two-year deal. Tanaka’s return to the Eagles lineup comes after a seven-year stint in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees, where the right-hander was consistently impressive in pinstripes. But despite his Stateside…

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