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 Jul 9, 2020
NTT Docomo Inc. will begin marketing lower-priced smartphones later this year to promote its fifth-generation, or 5G, advanced wireless service, President and Chief Executive Officer Kazuhiro Yoshizawa said in an interview. The Japanese wireless operator rolled out its 5G service in March. Currently, 5G-compatible smartphones ...
Business / Tech | FOCUS Jun 28, 2020
Huawei controversy opens field for 5G challengers, including Japan's NEC
Washington has pushed allies to bar Huawei from building next-generation 5G mobile networks, claiming its equipment can be used to spy for Beijing.
Business May 27, 2020
Japan enacts law toughening transparency regulations on tech giants
The measure addresses concerns such companies are taking advantage of their market dominance to mistreat merchants who offer wares on their platforms.
Business Apr 30, 2020
The move by the Japanese cybermall operator comes after the kit's supplier, Genesis Healthcare Co., saw its president replaced in a board meeting Tuesday.
Business / Corporate Apr 23, 2020
Rakuten PCR test risks spreading coronavirus, says Japan health expert
An official on the health ministry's expert panel for COVID-19 has expressed concerns over a test kit for the new coronavirus released by cybermall operator Rakuten Inc. "The collection of specimens involves infection risks and may cause the spread of the virus to others," Satoshi ...
Business / Corporate Apr 20, 2020
Rakuten begins selling coronavirus testing kits to companies in Tokyo
E-commerce giant Rakuten Inc. said Monday it has started selling coronavirus testing kits to companies in Tokyo and four surrounding prefectures. The self-assessment kit developed by genetic analysis firm Genesis Healthcare Co. is designed for people who suspect they have the pneumonia-causing disease but are ...
Business Apr 8, 2020
Rakuten Inc.'s mobile phone unit on Wednesday launched its full-scale mobile phone service with drastically reduced charges in Japan, fueling speculation that the new operator would intensify the price battle with its bigger rivals. Rakuten Mobile Inc. introduced the single fee plan that charges ¥2,980 ...
Business / Corporate Mar 6, 2020
Rakuten puts free delivery plan on hold after backlash from retailers
Rakuten’s retailers have made it clear that they are not all on board with shouldering the shipping costs.
Business / Tech Mar 5, 2020
SoftBank to be first in Japan to launch 5G services, on March 27
Rivals NTT Docomo Inc. and KDDI Corp. are expected to reveal their own plans soon.
Business Mar 5, 2020
Japan e-commerce sites crack down on profiteering from COVID-19 fears
by Tomohiro Osaki
Price-gouging to exploit the epidemic is so prevalent that even the government is weighing in.