Last Updated:

2024-05-07 07:46:42

Rakuten

Japanese technology conglomerate founded in 1997

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Japanese technology conglomerate founded in 1997

Rakuten Group, Inc. is a Tokyo-based conglomerate founded by Hiroshi Mikitani. It operates in 30 countries, with businesses in online retail, financial services, digital content, and communications. Rakuten has over 28,000 employees and revenues of $12.8 billion. It has sponsored FC Barcelona and the Golden State Warriors. Rakuten's investments include Buy.com, Priceminister, Pinterest, Lyft, and more.

SoftBank Group Tadashi Yanai Akebono Tarō KDDI Corporation Kōnosuke Matsushita Bank of Japan Shinzo Abe Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Kazuo Inamori Kazuchika Okada

1995

Rakuten Ecosystem Establishment

Rakuten Ecosystem was established in 1995, and it has grown to become a global innovation company.

1996

Company name changes to Rakuten

In 1996, the company changed its name to Rakuten, a significant rebranding move.

1997-02-07

Rakuten founded as MDM, Inc.

Rakuten was initially established as MDM, Inc. by Hiroshi Mikitani on February 7, 1997.

1997-05-01

Launch of Rakuten Shopping Mall

Rakuten Shopping Mall, also known as Rakuten Ichiba, was officially introduced on May 1, 1997, with six employees and 13 merchants.

1999-06

Launch of Rakuten Super Auction

Rakuten Super Auction, the predecessor service of Rakuten Auction, is introduced. It later became part of the Rakuma C2C flea market app in 2016.

2000-04-19

IPO on JASDAQ Market

On April 19, 2000, Rakuten went public through an IPO on the JASDAQ market. The online marketplace had 2,300 stores and 95 million page views per month at that time.

2001-03

Launch of Rakuten Travel

In March 2001, Rakuten Travel, an online hotel reservation service, is introduced.

2001-04

Launch of Rakuten Books

In April 2001, Rakuten Books, an online book shopping service, is launched.

2002-04

Introduction of New Merchant Fee Contract System by Rakuten Ichiba

In April 2002, Rakuten Ichiba introduces a new merchant fee contract system based on a 'pay-as-you-go program'.

2002-11

Introduction of Rakuten Super Point Program

In November 2002, Rakuten introduced the Rakuten Super Point Program, a membership loyalty program.

2003-09

Merger with Infoseek Japan K.K.

In September 2003, Infoseek Japan K.K. was merged into Rakuten, Inc.

2003-11

Introduction of Rakuten Point Club

Rakuten Point Club is launched, offering special benefits to users based on their accumulated Rakuten Points.

2004-05

Acquisition of Minnano Shushoku Inc.

Rakuten fully purchases Minnano Shushoku Inc., an online job seeker community, which later becomes part of Rakuten, Inc. in 2009.

2004-09

Acquisition of Aozora Card Co., Ltd.

In September 2004, Rakuten acquired consumer finance company Aozora Card Co., Ltd., later renaming it Rakuten Card Co., Ltd.

2004-10

Formation of Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

In October 2004, Rakuten Baseball was created, leading to the formation of the baseball team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, which joined Nippon Professional Baseball.

2004-11

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles approved by NPB

In November 2004, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) gave the green light for the entry of the 'Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles' into the league.

2005-06

Rakuten acquires LinkShare Corporation

In June 2005, Rakuten made its first international expansion by acquiring the U.S.-based LinkShare Corporation, now known as Rakuten Marketing LLC, which operates as Rakuten Advertising.

2005-10

Rakuten enters U.S. affiliate marketing business

In October 2005, Rakuten expanded its business by acquiring LinkShare Corporation, now known as Rakuten Marketing LLC, to enter the U.S. affiliate marketing sector.

2005-12

Rakuten establishes Rakuten Institute of Technology

In December 2005, Rakuten founded the Rakuten Institute of Technology in Tokyo, a research and development institute dedicated to advancing internet technologies.

2006-07

Establishment of Rakuten ANA Travel Online Co., Ltd.

In July 2006, Rakuten and All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) formed Rakuten ANA Travel Online Co., Ltd. to collaborate in the travel industry.

2006-11

Introduction of Growth Management Program by Rakuten

In November 2006, Rakuten implemented the 'Growth Management Program' to oversee the profitability and growth potential of its 38 business units.

2007-04

Full Acquisition of Rakuten Research, Inc.

In April 2007, Rakuten completed the acquisition of Rakuten Research, Inc. which is now known as Rakuten Insight, Inc.

2007-07

Acquisition of Rakuten ANA Travel Online Co., Ltd.

In July 2007, Rakuten, Inc. and All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. established Rakuten ANA Travel Online Co., Ltd.

2008-02

Launch of Rakuten Ichiba Taiwan

In February 2008, Rakuten, in a joint venture with President Chain Store, introduced its first e-commerce site outside Japan, Rakuten Ichiba Taiwan.

2008-05

Rakuten establishes Taiwan Rakuten Ichiba

In May 2008, Rakuten entered the Taiwanese market by launching Taiwan Rakuten Ichiba, an internet shopping mall business, through a joint venture with President Chain Store Corp, a prominent retail company in Taiwan.

2008-09

Rakuten Group expands to around 40 different businesses

In September 2008, the Rakuten Group diversified its portfolio by expanding to approximately 40 different businesses and services. It reorganized its business units into 11 groups to enhance investment efficiency and focus on growth and incubation businesses.

2009-01

Consolidation of eBank Corporation

In January 2009, eBank Corporation (now Rakuten Bank) was consolidated as a subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc.

2009-02

Rakuten acquires eBank Corporation

In February 2009, Rakuten acquired eBank Corporation, now known as Rakuten Bank, Ltd. This acquisition marked a strategic move by Rakuten to expand its financial services offerings, including banking and e-money services.

2009-03

SHOWTIME, Inc. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten

In March 2009, Rakuten acquired additional stocks of SHOWTIME, Inc., making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. This move aimed to strengthen Rakuten's presence in the pay-per-view video service sector.

2010-01-04

Englishnization Project Announcement

The project to change the company's official internal language to English was initiated by Mickey Mikitani in his New Year's speech, aiming to have most meetings in English to enhance global presence.

2011-01

Establishment of San Francisco Agile Development Center

In January 2011, Rakuten established the San Francisco Agile Development Center in the U.S. to serve as a development hub for Rakuten Group's services globally.

2011-06

Acquisition of Ikeda Internet Software Ltda.

In June 2011, Rakuten acquired Ikeda Internet Software Ltda. (now Rakuten Brasil Internet Service Ltda.), a prominent e-commerce provider in Brazil.

2011-07

Acquisition of Tradoria GmbH

In July 2011, Rakuten acquired Tradoria GmbH (now Rakuten Deutschland GmbH), the operator of Tradoria (now Rakuten.de), a popular e-commerce platform in Germany.

2011-12

Rakuten Ichiba reaches 1 trillion yen in gross transaction value

By December 2011, Rakuten Ichiba, the flagship e-commerce platform of Rakuten, achieved a significant milestone by reaching 1 trillion yen in gross transaction value.

2012-07-17

Launch of Kobo Touch eReader in Japan

The Kobo Touch eReader was introduced in Japan on this date, but faced criticism due to inoperational client app and networking issues. This led to the disabling of product reviews on Rakuten temporarily.

2012-07-19

Launch of Kobo e-bookstore

On July 19, 2012, the Kobo e-bookstore was launched. Initial advertising claimed a library of 30,000 Japanese titles, but only 19,164 were actually available.

2012-07-27

Mikitani's Book Selection Promise

On July 27, 2012, after criticism about the limited book selection, Mikitani promised to exceed 30,000 books by July and make 60,000 available by August. These targets were met on August 27 and September 24, respectively.

2012-08-27

Consumer Affairs Agency Criticism

In response to Mikitani's promises and marketing tactics, the Consumer Affairs Agency accused Rakuten of violating product misrepresentation laws and exerted pressure on the company. Rakuten issued an apology.

2013-11-07

Implication of Vendors in Artificial Price Hikes on Rakuten

By November 7, 2013, it was revealed that 20 vendors and up to 1000 products on Rakuten were involved in artificial price hikes. This included products like the iPhone 4S and cream puffs, which were advertised at inflated prices. Rakuten initially denied liability but later some employees were found to have approved these actions.

2014-02

Opening of Rakuten Institute of Technology in Paris

In February 2014, Rakuten established its third Rakuten Institute of Technology in Paris, marking its first presence in Europe.

2014-03

Full Acquisition of Viber Media Ltd. by Rakuten

By March 2014, Rakuten completed the acquisition of Viber Media Ltd., the company behind the popular mobile messaging and VoIP service 'Viber', expanding its communication services globally.

2014-04

Rakuten ends online sales of whale and dolphin meat

In April 2014, Rakuten responded to the EIA's call and announced the discontinuation of all online sales of whale and dolphin meat by the end of the month.

2014-05

Opening of Rakuten CAFE in Shibuya

In May 2014, Rakuten inaugurated a permanent 'Rakuten CAFE' in Shibuya, providing customers with the opportunity to explore various Rakuten services in a cafe setting.

2014-08

Rakuten acquires Slice Technologies, Inc.

In August 2014, Rakuten fully acquired Slice Technologies, Inc., the company behind the app service 'Slice.' This service analyzes users' purchase history by scanning emails from various e-commerce platforms.

2014-09

Acquisition of Ebates

In September 2014, Rakuten acquired Ebates for $1 billion, enabling its entry into online shopping membership rewards in multiple countries.

2014-10

Rakuten launches Rakuten Point Card service

In October 2014, Rakuten introduced the Rakuten Point Card service, enabling members to utilize their Rakuten Points in physical stores across Japan.

2014-11

Launch of Rakuten Mobile MVNO Service

In November 2014, Rakuten Group fully entered the mobile phone industry by launching the MVNO service called 'Rakuten Mobile.'

2015-01

Acquisition of Vissel Kobe

In January 2015, Rakuten fully acquired Vissel Kobe, marking its entry into the Japan Professional Football League (J-League).

2015-03

Rakuten Accepts Bitcoin

In March 2015, Rakuten announced that it would start accepting Bitcoin on its global marketplaces after investing in Bitnet Technologies. Rakuten was an early supporter of Bitcoin and embraced its potential.

2015-04

Taiwan Rakuten Card Launch

Rakuten Card Co., Ltd. introduces its first credit card outside Japan, the Taiwan Rakuten Card.

2015-06

Acquisition of OverDrive Holdings, Inc.

Rakuten fully purchases OverDrive Holdings, Inc., a major eBook content provider mainly for libraries.

2015-07

Acquisition of Fits.me Holdings Limited

Rakuten fully acquires Fits.me Holdings Limited, a company specializing in virtual fitting room technology.

2016-11-16

Rakuten Partnership with FC Barcelona

On November 16, 2016, Rakuten announced a four-year partnership with FC Barcelona, a prominent football club in Europe. This deal made Rakuten the main global partner of FC Barcelona, with its logo appearing on the team's jerseys.

2017-11-03

Rakuten Site-wide Sale Commemorating Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Championship Win

On November 3, 2017, Rakuten initiated a site-wide sale to celebrate the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles championship win. Some vendors offered discounts of up to 77% on their products, despite the company acknowledging it as a heavy financial burden but a 'marketing cost'.

2018-01

Rakuten-Walmart Strategic Alliance

Rakuten and Walmart announce a strategic alliance to collaborate on online grocery delivery and eBooks.

2018-03

Rakuten announces plans to launch cryptocurrency

In March 2018, Rakuten announced plans to launch its cryptocurrency.

2018-04

Rakuten receives approval for 4G special base station deployment plan

In April 2018, Rakuten obtained approval for its fourth generation mobile communications system (4G) special base station deployment plan for the 1.7 GHz frequency band from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

2018-05

Asahi Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc.

In May 2018, Asahi Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. was acquired by Rakuten, Inc., becoming a fully owned subsidiary of the company.

2018-06

Rakuten acquires Curbside (now Rakuten Ready)

During June 2018, Rakuten acquired the American location-centric mobile commerce solution platform Curbside, which is now known as Rakuten Ready.

2018-07

Rakuten launches 'One Delivery' logistics service

In July 2018, Rakuten introduced new initiatives to achieve their 'One Delivery' vision, aiming to provide end-to-end logistics services.

2018-08

Rakuten acquires everybody’s bitcoin Inc.

In August 2018, Rakuten acquired everybody’s bitcoin Inc., now known as Rakuten Wallet, Inc., through its subsidiary Rakuten Card Co., Ltd.

2018-09

Rakuten establishes Rakuten People and Culture Lab

In September 2018, Rakuten founded the Rakuten People and Culture Lab to explore new insights and develop innovative solutions related to organizational relationships, individual interactions, and the future culture of the company.

2018-10

Rakuten launches 'Rakuten Denki' power supply service

In October 2018, Rakuten introduced 'Rakuten Denki,' a low-voltage residential power supply service, expanding its range of offerings.

2018-11

Grand opening of Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper

Rakuten and Seiyu GK jointly launched an online grocery delivery service called Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper.

2018-12

Opening of Rakuten Institute of Technology in Bengaluru

Rakuten Institute of Technology inaugurated its operations center in Bengaluru, India, expanding its presence to the fifth country and sixth office globally.

2019-12-17

Rakuten Monkeys team name change

On 17 December 2019, the Taiwanese baseball team acquired by Rakuten formally changed its name to the Rakuten Monkeys.

2020-09-24

Rakuten shuts down online marketplace in Germany

On September 24, 2020, Rakuten announced the closure of their online marketplace in Germany, ceasing to accept new orders while ensuring fulfillment of existing ones.

2021-09-06

Rakuten Travel's top reception cats

Rakuten Travel's reception cats are gaining popularity as top attractions.

2021-09-13

Rakuten's Open LLM Tops Performance Charts in Japan

Rakuten's Open LLM has achieved top performance rankings in Japan.

2022-02

Rakuten celebrates its 25th anniversary

In February 2022, Rakuten commemorates its 25th year since establishment.

2022-03

Rakuten launches Rakuten CarShare

In March 2022, Rakuten introduces Rakuten CarShare, a service for car-sharing reservations.

2022-05

Rakuten celebrates 25th anniversary of Rakuten Ichiba launch

In May 2022, Rakuten marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of Rakuten Ichiba.

2022-06

Rakuten Securities surpasses 8 million customer accounts

In June 2022, Rakuten Securities achieves over 8 million general securities customer accounts.

2022-08

Rakuten India relocates to Rakuten Crimson House Bengaluru

In August 2022, Rakuten India moves to its new office, Rakuten Crimson House Bengaluru, to enhance the company's tech innovation capabilities.

2022-09

Rakuten announces goal for carbon neutrality in 2023

Rakuten sets a target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2023, demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability.

2022-10

Rakuten Securities Holdings and Mizuho Securities form alliance

During October 2022, Rakuten Securities Holdings and Mizuho Securities establish a strategic capital and business alliance, enhancing their market presence and offerings.

2022-11

Rakuten launches unmanned ground vehicle delivery service

In November 2022, Rakuten introduces a regular delivery service using unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), showcasing its innovative approach to logistics and technology.

2023-05

Rakuten Mobile launches 'Rakuten SAIKYO Plan'

In May 2023, Rakuten Mobile introduces the 'Rakuten SAIKYO Plan,' providing unlimited high-speed data across Japan.

2023-06

Total Rakuten Bank customer accounts exceed 14 million

By June 2023, the total number of customer accounts at Rakuten Bank reaches over 14 million.

2023-08

Rakuten and VEON explore collaboration for Ukraine's infrastructure

In August 2023, Rakuten and VEON initiate discussions on collaborating to enhance Ukraine's infrastructure through Open RAN and digital services.

2023-09

Rakuten Mobile's Subscribers Exceed 5 Million

The total number of subscribers for Rakuten Mobile's mobile carrier service has surpassed 5 million by September 2023.

2023-10

Rakuten Card's Annual Transaction Value Surpasses 20 Trillion Yen

In October 2023, Rakuten Card's annual shopping gross transaction value has exceeded 20 trillion yen, showcasing the increasing popularity of cashless payments.

2023-11

Rakuten Partners with OpenAI for "Rakuten AI for Business" Platform

Rakuten has chosen OpenAI as its strategic AI partner to collaborate on the development of the new "Rakuten AI for Business" platform by November 2023.

2024

Tech Experts discuss Rakuten’s unique AI approach at MWC Barcelona 2024

Tech experts gather at MWC Barcelona 2024 to discuss Rakuten's distinctive AI strategy.

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