Soccer Jul 7, 2021
Barcelona forwards apologize for video mocking hotel staff in Japan
Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele's comments during a 2019 preseason tour have sparked a growing backlash, including a protest from Barcelona sponsor Rakuten.
National May 15, 2021
Rakuten founder Hiroshi Mikitani calls Tokyo Olympics a ‘suicide mission’
Mikitani, who has been an outspoken critic of the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, said the sporting event, due to start in two months, should not be held this year.
Soccer / J. League May 14, 2021
J. League offers assistance for country's mass vaccination efforts
by Dan Orlowitz
The league and its 57 clubs will provide logistical support and promotional muscle after reaching an agreement with the National Governors' Association.
National Apr 29, 2021
Japanese business leaders suggest ways to speed up vaccination rate
Figures such as Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani have urged the government to quicken inoculations by allowing them to be done through a drive-thru system.
Business / Corporate Mar 12, 2021
Rakuten to raise $2.2 billion as Japan Post and Tencent buy stakes
by Pavel Alpeyev
The Japanese e-commerce pioneer has benefited from a boom in online shopping during the pandemic, but faces stiff competition from Amazon.com Inc.
Business / Corporate Sep 30, 2020
Rakuten rolls out ultrafast 5G service with bold price plan
by Kazuaki Nagata
The move could give the mobile carrier a competitive edge and fuel momentum toward cheaper phone fees.
Business / Corporate Jan 7, 2020
Rakuten to launch full-scale mobile phone services in Japan in April
Rakuten Inc. aims to launch full mobile phone carrier services in April, according to Hiroshi Mikitani, the head of the major cybermall operator. The Rakuten group initially planned to begin mobile services last Oct. 1 but postponed the move due to a delay in establishing ...
Baseball Dec 18, 2019
The Japanese owner of Taiwan's first foreign-owned pro baseball club unveiled the new name and uniform of the team on Tuesday, hoping to apply his experience in Japan to attract more fans to the team's home stadium in Taiwan. Hiroshi Mikitani, founder of e-commerce giant ...
Business / Corporate Aug 3, 2019
Rakuten looks to extend jersey deal with NBA's Golden State Warriors as brand awareness jumps
Rakuten Inc., which paid the Golden State Warriors $60 million for a three-year jersey sponsorship in 2017, is looking to extend the partnership as the National Basketball Association finalists head into the final season of their deal. The logo patch, on a player's left shoulder ...
Soccer | From the Spot Jul 24, 2019
Rakuten's Barca-Chelsea show misses mark
by Dan Orlowitz
The possibility exists that Tuesday's Rakuten Cup match between Barcelona and Chelsea was being considered by some influential soccer figure or another as an audition for Japan's inclusion in the increasingly popular International Champions Cup, the international preseason tournament that is currently taking place ...
Soccer | From the Spot Apr 24, 2019
Vissel faces challenges after week of turmoil
by Dan Orlowitz
Seven weeks ago, David Villa's first J. League goal in front of an enthusiastic home crowd led even the most cynical of observers to wonder whether this could be the year that perennial underperformer Vissel Kobe would finally put together a campaign worthy of ...
Soccer Apr 18, 2019
FC Barcelona to meet Chelsea, Vissel Kobe in summer friendlies in Japan
by Dan Orlowitz
FC Barcelona will face English Premier League veteran Chelsea and the J. League's Vissel Kobe this July, adding to the list of star-studded club friendlies set to take place in Japan this summer. The Spanish first-division leader, which last October announced plans to visit Japan ...