In today’s era of rising wages, inflation and labor shortages, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). And while generative AI and AI-powered services are creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses to enhance customer experiences and drive growth, a recent Rakuten survey found that…

Formula 1 fans have had March circled on their calendars, eagerly awaiting the return of the world’s fastest sport. The 2025 season roared to life with high expectations, fresh storylines, and an electric atmosphere. Now, with the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix in the books, we’re diving into…

By Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO, Rakuten Group As a foundational part of humanity’s infrastructure in the 21st century, mobile network operators now have a responsibility to deliver low-cost connectivity to their users. Where the necessary infrastructure is in place, mobile connectivity should be considered a human right. I…

Brands, agencies, and organizations need real-time insights to identify, track, and maximize the value of their partnerships with influencers, athletes, musicians, and celebrities. Blinkfire Talent delivers exactly that—offering powerful analytics and AI-driven insights to optimize talent scouting and media value across social media. Why talent discovery matters In…

In this series, we sit down with Rakuten AI leaders for a deep dive into the stories behind this transformative technology and the inspiring individuals driving Rakuten’s vision of AI for all. Watch this interview and others in the Inside Rakuten AI series on our YouTube channel. Generative…

One of the marquee sponsorships for any team is their jersey sponsorship. As the most valuable asset for many teams, it is essential to have accurate valuations and advanced data on exposure. We’ve covered NBA jersey patches, NHL jersey and helmet sponsorships, the MLB’s recent surge into the…

“When I started Rakuten over 25 years ago, artificial intelligence was the realm of The Matrix. Today, that reality is closer than ever.” At Rakuten’s annual New Year Conference in Tokyo, Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani delivered this message to over 50,000 Rakuten Ichiba merchants around Japan. One…

At Blinkfire, we’re always evolving to keep up with the platforms that matter most to our customers — and we’re excited to announce that Snapchat is now fully supported in Blinkfire! Whether you’re a team, league, brand, or creator, Snapchat offers unique ways to engage with fans through…

At the IDR User Forum 2024, held on December 13 in Tokyo, Rakuten once again demonstrated its commitment to advancing the future of AI by fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Organized by the National Institute of Informatics (NII), the forum serves as a platform for researchers, students…