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July 15, 2025
 

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HIROSHI MIKITANI

Rakuten Group said it no longer plans to list its securities arm on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and will instead focus on deepening its partnership with Mizuho Securities.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 30, 2025
Rakuten scraps plan to list securities unit on Tokyo bourse
The Japanese e-commerce pioneer had planned an initial public offering for Rakuten Securities Holdings as part of a push to shore up finances.
Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani says the company sees an opportunity in Japan, which has been a laggard in the adoption of digital and artificial intelligence-powered technologies.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 21, 2025
Rakuten founder defends costly mobile foray with big AI bet
Rakuten Mobile and its 8 million-plus users help train an AI poised to expand the conglomerate’s business, according to billionaire founder Hiroshi Mikitani.
Rakuten's sale of 15% stake in its credit card arm to Mizuho Financial Group would give the e-commerce pioneer a one-time gain of ¥159.4 billion in the current quarter.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 14, 2024
Rakuten sells Mizuho 15% of credit card arm for ¥165 billion
The sale would give the e-commerce pioneer a one-time gain of ¥159.4 billion in the current quarter, Rakuten said in a statement Wednesday.
Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said that the mobile company now has more than 7 million subscribers, and is seeking to hit 10 million subscribers next.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 27, 2024
Money-losing Rakuten Mobile rolls out new 700 MHz service
The new offering, which is being introduced incrementally, will improve connectivity, including in densely populated areas, it says.
The exact timing of the roll out of Rakuten Mobile's commercial satellite-to-mobile service is uncertain, but the plans for coverage encompass mountainous and remote areas across Japan.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 16, 2024
Rakuten plans satellite mobile service across Japan in 2026
The service, to be rolled out in partnership with AST SpaceMobile, will be directly accessible by regular smartphones and won’t require a terminal.
Rakuten Group has incurred a net loss for the fifth straight year.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 15, 2024
Rakuten logs second-largest annual net loss
The firm will skip a dividend payment for the first time in 23 years to prioritize its financial stability.
Hiroshi Mikitani, co-chief executive officer of Rakuten Medical, speaks at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's meeting in Yokohama on Thursday.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2023
Rakuten’s Mikitani spends a fifth of his time on biotech startup
Rakuten Medical, based in San Diego, employs about 200 people and specializes in a therapy that uses light and immunotherapy drugs to fight cancer.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 14, 2023
Rakuten is hanging on. It should consider hanging up
Rakuten is selling whatever it can to plug a hole in its finances caused by a misadventure into mobile.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 13, 2022
Struggling Rakuten may need to phone a friend for help with mobile bet
Hiroshi Mikitani isn't as rich as he used to be — and is losing money rapidly on his bet on mobile. The smart play may be to find a partner with deeper pockets.
SOCCER / J. League / J. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK
May 31, 2022
June international break a welcome relief for struggling J. League teams
Three clubs initially expected to vie for the title will be especially grateful for the chance to reboot their campaigns.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 24, 2022
Rakuten prepares to list its securities unit
The firm said a listing for the securities business would help it expand the ecosystem for Rakuten offerings, which range from e-commerce to finance and wireless services.
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
JAPAN
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
The league and its 57 clubs will provide logistical support and promotional muscle after reaching an agreement with the National Governors' Association.
Japan Times
JAPAN
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 12, 2021
Rakuten to raise $2.2 billion as Japan Post and Tencent buy stakes
The Japanese e-commerce pioneer has benefited from a boom in online shopping during the pandemic, but faces stiff competition from Amazon.com Inc.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 30, 2020
Rakuten rolls out ultrafast 5G service with bold price plan
The move could give the mobile carrier a competitive edge and fuel momentum toward cheaper phone fees.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
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.
Japan Times
SOCCER / From the Spot
Jul 24, 2019
Rakuten's Barca-Chelsea show misses mark
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...
U.S. urges clarity on Japan’s role in potential war over Taiwan, report says
A Ground Self-Defense Force member conducts a military drill with an anti-ship missiles unit, at the GSDF's base on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2022.
Tourists in Japan have telemedicine options before calling 119
Foreign tourists at Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. More than 1 million international visitors have a medical issue in Japan every year.
Tropical Storm Nari moves northward, with possible landfall Tuesday
Tropical Storm Nari's forecast path as of Monday morning
Nissan clinches $4.5 billion bond deal after orders soar
Nissan Motor has raised $4.5 billion through a junk bond sale in U.S. dollars and euros, part of which carries a record-high coupon rate.
Students in Japan struggle with Japanese language and math sections on national exam
The correct answer rate for the Japanese language section on a national test dropped to 67.0% from 67.8% the previous year among elementary school sixth-graders.
U.S. urges clarity on Japan’s role in potential war over Taiwan, report says
A Ground Self-Defense Force member conducts a military drill with an anti-ship missiles unit, at the GSDF's base on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2022.
Tourists in Japan have telemedicine options before calling 119
Foreign tourists at Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. More than 1 million international visitors have a medical issue in Japan every year.
Is Japanese skin really ‘too smooth’ for Hideo Kojima’s games?
Hideo Kojima, the leading auteur in Japanese video games, has skirted controversy in the wake of the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
An emoji used to say it all. Now it might say too much.
Apple’s Craig Federighi shows off a set of emoji at a conference on June 13, 2016. While the small pictures have proved helpful in conveying nuance in our texts, younger people are using them less often.
‘Our ultimate goal is to save every single Japanese video game’
After nearly shuttering earlier this year, the Tokyo-based Game Preservation Society continues its work to save the early history of Japanese gaming.

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