Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

- und daher habe ich mir nach dem Einstieg bei Alibaba, die inzwischem mehr als 20% gut gemacht haben, auch einige Rakutens gekauft.

Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.

The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.

However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.

Rakuten Goes Forth

Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.

www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/

Why AST SpaceMobile Is About to Own 100% of Japan's Satellite Market

29.06.2026

What happens when the most reputable business publication in Japan reports that AST SpaceMobile and Rakuten are expected to win a landmark government satellite project? You get one of the most consequential mornings in $ASTS history — and Anpanman was live to break it all down in real time.

This episode captures the raw, unfiltered reaction to the Nikkei report and explains exactly why this news is far bigger than the market currently realizes. Anpanman walks listeners through the GEO Project from the ground up — what it is, how it was funded through Japan's fiscal budget, why the tender process unfolded the way it did, and why every single technical requirement written into the project effectively disqualified Starlink before the competition even began. From working with unmodified smartphones to supporting video calls across Japan, to requiring fully domestic satellite control infrastructure, Anpanman makes the case that this award was built for AST SpaceMobile's architecture and no one else's. Beyond the headline, Anpanman digs into the cascading consequences: full commercial approval expected in Japan by August or September, the opening of business with KDDI, NTT DoCoMo, and SoftBank, a near-certain multi-launch agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and access to non-dilutive debt financing through JBIC and US Exim Bank. According to Anpanman, the federated satellite ownership model being established in Japan is the same template that will play out in Europe through Satellite Connect Europe — and potentially everywhere else AST operates globally. Anpanman closes with a bold prediction: AST SpaceMobile is on a path to 100% market share in Japan, and the market simply hasn't caught up yet. If you want to understand why this moment matters not just for Japan but for the entire global competitive landscape in satellite communications, this episode is essential listening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yPPROW6csU

corp.stay.rakuten.co.jp/press/

What happened when we told telecom it had a business problem

July 2, 2026

Ahead of DTW Ignite 2026, we published the Rakuten Symphony 2026 Industry Growth Report. We spent that week in London, talking with press about our core finding: telecom’s growth crisis is a business problem, not a technology one.

The discussions triggered every imaginable question, but across the board everybody agreed.
On the Telecoms.com podcast, hosts Scott Bicheno and Iain Morris concurred with the diagnosis while asserting this is not a new conversation for the industry. The diagnosis isn’t the hard part. The biggest question is why so little has changed if there is wide acknowledgement the problem exists.

If anything, our report underemphasizes one of the most critical issues, which is how small of a share of the customer’s wallet telcos actually hold. It is a portion that no end customer wants to see increase.
The discussion in the report is how to change the lifetime value of a customer without increasing the need to extract more money just for connectivity. This is the next wave of competition the industry faces as connectivity disappears into other business’ economic models. Think Amazon Prime, the customer promise of Amazon, and how shipping moved from a customer line item to being part of the Amazon relationship.

The big swings we have seen coming out of telecom to combat growth challenges have been focused on defending against churn but it is loyalty that moves the needle on economics. Our report doesn’t set out to offer all the answers to the problem but recognizes the potential paths forward demands alignment with this reality.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/...telecom-had-business-problem-ve45e/

For Rakuten Mobile, reducing the roaming fees paid to KDDI would likely improve profitability. Rakuten's mobile business has been in the red for a long time and has only recently reached profitability in terms of EBITDA, a key profit metric.

Therefore, it is natural that they would want to reduce the costs of leasing another company's network. However, mobile carriers are not evaluated solely by accounting figures. What users look at most, even before price, is whether the service 'actually connects.' Even if the monthly fee is low, if the number of 'out of service' areas increases in deep parts of train stations, inside buildings, at parents' homes in the countryside, or while traveling, the impression will worsen instantly.

Rakuten Mobile has grown through its low prices and the strength of its points program, but from here on, the question is whether they can reach the point where they are both cheap and reliably connected.

The Platinum Band Alone Won't Fill the Gaps Immediately

Rakuten Mobile does have reasons for optimism. In 2024, they began commercial service in the 700MHz band, known as the 'platinum band.' The platinum band is known for being a signal that easily reaches inside buildings and over long distances.

If Rakuten can expand this, it will be easier to improve connectivity in indoor and rural areas, which have been their weak points. However, just because they can now use the platinum band does not mean that connectivity will immediately improve everywhere in the country. They need to build base stations, calibrate them, and fill in the gaps and high-traffic areas one by one. If KDDI roaming is scaled back, any delays in that work will directly lead to user dissatisfaction.

The End of September Will Be a Real-World Test for Rakuten Mobile

This issue is not just a small matter for those using Rakuten Mobile. If Rakuten Mobile holds its ground, the competition over low mobile rates is likely to continue. Conversely, if poor connectivity becomes prominent, it will clearly demonstrate the difficulty of challenging the three major carriers on price alone.

How the contract with KDDI will play out is still under negotiation. Whether it will be a full termination, a partial continuation, or some other form of cooperation remains to be seen in future announcements. However, as the end of September approaches, Rakuten Mobile will be judged on whether it can transform from a 'cheap mobile carrier' into a 'mobile carrier that can be used with peace of mind nationwide.'

Smartphone signals are usually like the air we breathe. No one notices them as long as they are connected. But the moment the connection drops, the trust in that company is shaken along with it. The next battle for Rakuten Mobile lies not in its price list, but in how much of a daily life it can create where users are never out of service.

I hope today's discussion has served as a catalyst for expanding your thinking. If you felt like you would like to hear more, I would appreciate it if you could follow or like this post.

note.com/100syousetuka/n/n37498178fb3a?hl=en

Zattoo adds four Rakuten TV FAST Channels

June 4, 2026

TV streaming provider Zattoo has expanded its FAST offering in Germany, Austria and Switzerland through a partnership with Rakuten TV, adding four new channels focused on action films, romance and classic television series

Jorge del Puerto, Head of Partnerships and Business Development Europe at Rakuten TV, added: “As a pioneer in the German market, Rakuten TV remains committed to continuously enhancing the FAST experience. Our partnership with Zattoo demonstrates that growth and quality can go hand in hand when strong strategic partners work together. Through Rakuten TV Enterprise, the agreement also gives our content partners additional opportunities to expand the distribution of their FAST channels.”

www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/06/04/...kuten-tv-fast-channels/

J-LEO

Die staatliche Zusage von Subventionen in Höhe von bis zu 150 Milliarden Yen (ca. 922 Mio. USD) für das Satelliten-Projekt der Rakuten Group Inc (TYO:4755) hat Ende Juni 2026 zu einer deutlich positiven Marktreaktion geführt.

Wesentliche Auswirkungen auf den Aktienkurs

Kursrallye bei Partnern: Die Aktie des US-Partners AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) verzeichnete am 29. Juni 2026 mit einem Plus von über 21 % den besten Handelstag seit fast zwei Jahren.

Verbesserte Wettbewerbsposition: Die Subventionen helfen Rakuten dabei, eine „japanische Antwort“ auf Elon Musks Starlink aufzubauen. Da Rakuten bereits über das notwendige 700-MHz-Frequenzband verfügt, wird die staatliche Unterstützung als entscheidender Vorteil gegenüber Konkurrenten wie KDDI oder SoftBank gewertet.

Finanzielle Entlastung: Die Fördermittel werden über drei Jahre verteilt und decken bis zu 50 % der Kosten für Satellitenbeschaffung, Starts und Bodenstationen ab. Dies mindert das finanzielle Risiko für das kapitalintensive Mobilfunkgeschäft von Rakuten.

Langfristige Bedeutung
Das Projekt J-LEO wird von der japanischen Regierung als strategisch wichtig für die wirtschaftliche Sicherheit eingestuft. Erste kommerzielle Dienste sollen bereits im Herbst 2026 starten, eine flächendeckende Versorgung Japans wird für das Fiskaljahr 2027 angestrebt.

www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/4755:TYO

The space economy is a popular investing topic right now, as Space Exploration Technologies completed its record-setting initial public offering. SpaceX stock remains a hot commodity, with the company sporting a market capitalization of more than $2 trillion.

But while SpaceX is soaking up a lot of attention, several other companies are also playing important roles in building out the space economy. And while they're flying somewhat under the radar right now, I think AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS), Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), and Redwire (NYSE: RDW) have compelling cases to deliver big returns over the next decade.

finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/...s-140500883.html

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows

simplywall.st/stocks/tr/consumer-durables/...ued-in-july-2026

“In an increasingly globalized world, this likely reflects a desire among young people to re-confirm their identity,” comments Rakuten Insight Senior Data Analyst Kozo Suenaga. “After an era of mass production and consumption, they are re-evaluating the warmth of handcrafts and authentic historical value, while looking towards the Japanese spirit as a source of calm and healing in a stressful society.”
Some traditional Japanese crafts are undergoing a revival.

But young people aren’t simply seeking a return to the past, Suenaga explains, instead remixing tradition to fit with modern society. They are blending digital and analog experiences, renovating traditional homes, and incorporating heritage crafts into their modern lifestyles. Brands that are able to authentically merge historical craftsmanship with modern utility are finding a highly receptive audience.

“Moving forward, it will be crucial not just to protect traditional values, but to reinterpret and rebuild them to match modern sensibilities. Initiatives that capture this trend will likely drive future product and service competitiveness.”

Move over, cos-pa; it’s time for in-pa

Cos-pa (cost performance) and tai-pa (time performance) are well-established phrases in the Japanese lexicon. While these tenets of affordability and efficiency remain important, Rakuten Insight’s data suggests that younger consumers are upgrading their metrics: the new standard is in-pa (investment performance).

Survey respondents in their twenties showed the highest rise across all generations in spending their disposable income on stocks and financial investments, jumping from 15.4% in 2024 to 17.2% in 2026. The data aligns with trends on Rakuten Securities, which has emerged as the brokerage platform of choice for many first-time investors in Japan.

This mindset extends beyond the stock market, even becoming a crucial pillar of daily consumption: Over 70% of Gen Z shoppers now factor in resale value before making a purchase.

“These results suggest youth consumption is shifting from prioritizing cheapness to choices conscious of future value and recovery potential,” Suenaga says. “The decision-making process itself is approaching an investment mindset.”

As young consumers move away from cheap, disposable goods in favor of assets that retain value or deliver personal growth, brands that can’t make the case for their product’s future value or potential for capital recovery are becoming less attractive.

“Moving forward, ROI (return on investment) will become an increasingly important standard. Beyond cos-pa and tai-pa, interest will expand to in-pa,” Suenaga continues. “Consequently, products or services that cannot demonstrate what future value will be gained or how it can be recovered will struggle to enter the consideration set, regardless of how cheap they are.”

Investing in health and wellness

This ROI-driven mindset is also reshaping Japan’s health and wellness sector. Rakuten Insight’s survey found that consumers in their 20s now lead all age groups in the utilization of supplements and health foods. More of these consumers are also willing to pay a premium for verified health benefits and are proactively trying trending wellness products.

“The data confirms growing interest in health foods and related products among youth,” Suenaga notes. “At 39.9%, their frequent use of supplements is the highest across all age groups.”

This trend goes well beyond basic hype; young people are incorporating data-driven strategies, treating their bodies like stock portfolios. Recovery wear, smart health-tracking devices and complete nutrition foods help monitor key performance indicators and verify results.

Young people in Japan are trying more health products, and spending more on wellness.

Young consumers want fast feedback loops to determine whether their wellness investment is worth continuing. For health brands, youth marketing can no longer rely on vague promises of boosted vitality. They need to offer a transparent, low-risk investment format with measurable milestones.
“Future health products aimed at youth will require more than just explanations of efficacy; they will require investment design (KPIs, short-term goals) predicated on visible results, fast recovery, and low risk of failure.”

Rakuten Insight’s data paints an intriguing picture of Japan’s modern youth, as they reach back to the authenticity of their cultural heritage and approach consumption with data-driven practicality. For merchants on Rakuten Ichiba and other businesses in Japan, understanding this dual nature may be the key to capturing a new generation of customers.

rakuten.today/blog/...-youth-brands-must-prove-their-roi.html

Ryan Son, President of Rakuten Symphony’s Internet Services Business Unit and Head of Rakuten Maritime, said: "The official commercial adoption of our platform by a global shipbuilding giant like Hanwha Ocean is a massive validation of our technology. By integrating these tools from the outset of design and construction rather than treating security as an afterthought, Hanwha Ocean is establishing a new standard for proactive, lifecycle risk management across the maritime industry."

Hanwha Ocean’s Merchant Ship Business Division commented: "As vessel digitalization accelerates across the global shipping sector, cybersecurity has become a critical factor influencing safety, quality and regulatory compliance. By adopting Rakuten Maritime’s solution, we expect to strengthen our ability to systematically incorporate advanced cybersecurity requirements during the design phase and enhance cyber risk management for both onboard equipment and vessels under construction."

Rakuten Maritime continues to strive towards expanding its commercial footprint globally, supporting shipyards and shipping sectors effectively as they navigate digital transformation and new regulatory mandates, including the IACS UR E26 and E27.

global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2026/0709_01.html

Also joining the conversation will be luminaries such as Kaz Ataka, Professor at Keio University’s Faculty of Environment and Information Studies and Senior Strategist at LY Corporation; Miyoko Nakashima, Market Strategist and Director at Mizuho Securities; Hikaru Ijuin (TV personality); among others.

Industry-spanning insights

The conference agenda extends across multiple sectors – travel, e-commerce, mobile, marketing, and more – each providing critical insights for organizations embarking on their AI journeys.

A dedicated Fintech Panel will bring together executives from Rakuten Card, Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Securities, Rakuten Insurance Group and Rakuten Payment to examine the current state of the Rakuten FinTech ecosystem and discuss how data and AI are transforming the financial services landscape.

Beyond business applications, the conference will explore some of the pressing philosophical questions surrounding AI, including how humans can thrive as the technology becomes increasingly embedded in our daily work and life.

In a compelling session titled “Beyond Efficiency: What Should We Be Obsessed With in the AI Era?”, Rieko Komiyama, Professor, Graduate School of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University, Advisor to the President’s Office; Kagoshima Horiguchi Seicha Co., Ltd.; Naoki Shibata, NSV Wolf Capital Managing Partner); and Masatada Kobayashi, Rakuten Group Chief Culture Officer will examine how curiosity can serve as an engine for building a life uniquely your own in the AI era.

All keynotes and panel discussions will feature real-time AI-powered subtitles in English and Japanese, ensuring greater audience accessibility.

Interactive showcases put ecosystem in spotlight

Building on last year’s momentum, Rakuten is continuing its “AI-nization” mission, an enterprise-wide initiative to leverage AI to transform operations, services, and user experiences across the Rakuten Ecosystem, with the ultimate goal of making AI accessible to all.

The event’s large exhibition area will offer visitors a hands-on experience of the company’s latest technology, including AI, alongside innovative Rakuten services. The Rakuten AI booth, a centerpiece of the exhibition area, is set to deliver an immersive journey into an AI-driven future. Leveraging the Rakuten ID’s seamless integration across the entire ecosystem, visitors will encounter AI experiences tailored to their individual preferences and lifestyle patterns.

Rakuten Mobile will spotlight “Next-Generation Mobile Experiences, Evolved by AI,” featuring the technology behind direct high-speed internet connectivity via low-earth-orbit satellites and everyday smartphones. AR displays will illustrate the capabilities of U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile’s satellite network and phased array antennas.

Rakuten Fintech invites visitors to interact with “Future Tree,” an interactive installation where attendees can share aspirations for the future of financial services, collectively building a vision of accessible, intuitive wealth management and payment solutions.

Under the theme “Sports × AI,” the Rakuten Sports booth will offer visitors a simulated professional athlete experience. Using data collected from conditioning checks and baseball and soccer training drills, AI will generate a unique stadium experience complete with a personalized avatar, entrance presentation and cheer song for each visitor.

The exhibition floor will also feature booths from various other Rakuten services, corporate partner showcases, dedicated business networking spaces and a dining area.

Attendees will be able to purchase event-exclusive Okaimono Panda merchandise such as rubber mirrors, hand towels, Okaimono Panda x HydroFlask Bottles and more.

Building across boundaries

With nearly 840,000 attendees since 2019, Rakuten Optimism has become a dynamic platform for engaging with cutting-edge technology and unlocking new opportunities. The 2026 edition of the conference expands on this mission, by partnering with companies to create a platform for learning and dialogue that transcends industry boundaries.

rakuten.today/blog/...ing-agentic-ai-and-what-comes-next.html

The global expansion of Rakuten Maritime builds on a deep commitment to collaboration and specialized engineering. Launched in December 2024, the service was built around a core realization: modern vessels require cybersecurity measures mapped directly to their physical design, construction and maritime operations. Unlike a standard land-based corporate network where IT threats are confined to data and laptops, a cyber vulnerability on an open-sea vessel can directly compromise critical propulsion, steering and industrial machinery.

By collaborating with specialized maritime cybersecurity innovators like Cytur and aligning with international safety bodies, Rakuten Maritime has systematically built a trusted global standard. This momentum began with ClassNK endorsements in mid-2025, followed by a Safety4Sea Award in October and a Novel Technology Approval from RINA. The streak culminated in May 2026 with a landmark strategic framework alongside the American Bureau of Shipping, providing the regulatory credentials needed to operate at scale with major global shipbuilders.

“What made this journey so rewarding was the chance to build a real bridge between the tech world and traditional maritime engineering,” says Sunoa Jang, Head of Business Development at Rakuten Maritime. “Our team spent eighteen months working alongside industry experts to ensure our platform spoke their language and truly enhanced their safety ecosystems. Securing these major validations is a massive milestone for us, and it shows what can happen when you bring modern software innovation to global heavy industry.”

The cybersecurity-by-design advantage

This deployment addresses a long-standing structural challenge in the maritime industry. Historically, vessel cybersecurity has been largely reactive, treated as a secondary feature patched onto a ship long after it left the shipyard. Rakuten Maritime’s security-by-design approach reverses this model by integrating threat assessment and risk mitigation directly into the commercial shipbuilding pipeline. Under this new agreement, Hanwha Ocean will deploy specialized modules developed with Cytur across the entire construction lifecycle.

This includes utilizing Threat Intelligence and Threat Modeler during the design phase, followed by Scanner, Threat Analysis and Risk Manager during production and delivery.

By utilizing these threat modeling tools on the drawing board, shipbuilders can identify and address cyber risks before construction even begins. Hanwha Ocean will also deploy the portable scanning technology for onboard equipment risk assessments on selected vessels currently under construction. This preventive approach systematically eliminates vulnerabilities, reducing operational risks and potential mitigation costs after the vessel is delivered to the open sea.

“For a long time, the maritime sector treated cybersecurity as an afterthought, either a localized IT issue or just a checklist exercise for compliance,” says Ryan Son, President of Rakuten Symphony’s Internet Services Business Unit and Head of Rakuten Maritime. “The Hanwha Ocean rollout proves that the market reality has completely changed. Global shipbuilders now see that cybersecurity must be part of the ship’s DNA from day one. It is no longer optional; it is a fundamental business necessity to keep the global supply chain moving safely.”

Meeting the new global standard

This commercial push for early-stage security comes at a critical time. New mandates from the International Association of Classification Societies, specifically UR E26 and E27, have made strict cyber resilience a mandatory rule for modern shipbuilding contracts.

Showcasing the cybersecurity-by-design platform to global shipowners and industry partners looking to navigate new international safety mandates.

As shipyards and vessel operators globally scramble to navigate these tightening compliance laws alongside their digital transformation goals, Rakuten Maritime is stepping in as a primary entry point for scalable safety.

By embedding cybersecurity directly into the DNA of international shipping, this partnership demonstrates that true digital resilience begins before a ship ever touches the water. This proactive model ensures that the modern supply chain can safely navigate toward a secure, efficient and automated future.

rakuten.today/blog/...en-maritimes-vision-for-safer-seas.html

The loyalty market in Japan has experienced robust growth during 2021-2025, achieving a CAGR of 15.4%. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2026 to 2030. By the end of 2030, the loyalty market is projected to expand from its 2025 value of US$7.59 billion to approximately US$13.45 billion.

www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/...e-and-forecast-by-spend

AST SpaceMobile has nearly 60 MNO partners covering 3 billion+ subscribers, over $1.20 billion in contracted partner commitments, and definitive agreements with Verizon and stc Group. Management is targeting 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit by year-end 2026.

Panel Discussion: Power of Partnerships

Rakuten Symphony partners Infosys, Isbel and Sunset Technologies join us at the Rakuten Booth for an insightful panel discussion where industry leaders explore the strategic and business outcomes of their ongoing partnership with the Rakuten Open RAN ecosystem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Gcjj4zArg&t=3s

Global Stocks Estimated To Be Undervalued In July 2026

As global markets navigate a mixed economic landscape, with U.S. job growth slowing and inflation easing in the eurozone, investors are increasingly focused on identifying opportunities amid these shifting conditions. In such an environment, undervalued stocks can present potential for growth as they may offer attractive entry points relative to their intrinsic value, particularly when broader market sentiment is cautious yet optimistic about select sectors.


Overview: Rakuten Bank, Ltd. offers internet banking products and services to individuals, corporations, and sole proprietors in Japan with a market cap of ¥985.22 billion.

Operations: Rakuten Bank generates revenue through its provision of internet banking products and services tailored for individual, corporate, and sole proprietor clients in Japan.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 49.7%

Rakuten Bank is trading at ¥5,788, significantly below its estimated future cash flow value of ¥11,509.92. Earnings are projected to grow significantly at 20% annually, outpacing the Japanese market average of 10%. Despite recent share price volatility and a forecasted low return on equity in three years (18.5%), the strategic alliance with Mizuho Bank enhances its asset acquisition capabilities and operational efficiency, potentially boosting long-term corporate value.

www.sahmcapital.com/news/content/...d-in-july-2026-2026-07-08

“In an era where AI is essential for business, infrastructure requires unprecedented scalability and agility. Having built and operated the world’s first fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile network, Rakuten Symphony’s technology is perfectly suited to meet the demands of the AI age,” Masaki explained. “We decided that now is the time to accelerate our expansion in Japan to share this expertise with local industries and help them evolve into truly AI-driven enterprises.”
In Japan, Rakuten Symphony’s ambitions extend far beyond traditional telecommunications.
“We are prioritizing industries that struggle with utilizing data on the front lines or managing multiple scattered locations,” Masaki revealed. “Specifically, our main targets are the retail and distribution sectors, which mix diverse devices and have high IT automation needs; the manufacturing industry, which requires real-time AI control; and social infrastructure, which needs safe, centralized management for entire cities.”
For Masaki, the expertise gained from building the Rakuten Mobile network translates directly into solving operational bottlenecks across entirely different sectors.
“What these industries share is the absolute need to process data instantly, right where it’s created. Our role is to apply the ‘full automation’ and ‘low-latency’ infrastructure technologies we cultivated in mobile telecommunications to solve these complex frontline challenges and accelerate their business.”
The approach positions Rakuten Symphony as a vital catalyst for Japanese companies, eager to leverage AI tech but constrained by aging, inflexible infrastructure.
“The biggest challenge is the rigidity caused by legacy IT infrastructure,” Masaki continued. “Many companies are stuck with systems that depend on specific vendors or rely heavily on manual operational processes, meaning they lack the speed and flexibility required to adopt AI. In short, even though they have the data, they lack the foundational infrastructure needed to turn that data into profit using AI. That is a major bottleneck for digital transformation.”
How Rakuten Symphony is unifying physical and digital infrastructure
Aligning with the event’s theme of Internet for AI, AI for Internet, the Rakuten Symphony team presented a bold vision at Interop Tokyo: the future belongs to cloud, artificial intelligence, open-source software, and automation-powered enterprises.
To realize this, organizations need to overcome the hurdle of fragmented, siloed management systems. Rakuten Mobile’s Monta Vongsili took to the seminar stage to propose the solution for physical assets: Rakuten Site Management.
Rakuten Symphony’s vendor-agnostic technology unifies planning, construction, operations, and scaling within a single, integrated platform, allowing for unprecedented operational fluidity across sectors such as telecom towers, data centers, and EV charging networks. “The design eliminates specific vendor dependency,” Vongsili noted. “It allows for completely flexible responses without being dependent on a single vendor.”
The true differentiator is the platform’s native integration of AI. Vongsili demonstrated Rakuten Symphony’s AI Spatial Analyzer – a digital quality assurance tool that instantly verifies the work of construction teams on the ground via photo analysis, reducing human error, labor and timeline risks.
“Just by taking a picture, if it doesn’t match the completed state, the AI will flag the failure in a matter of seconds,” Vongsili explained. “Through proactive project management, the system identifies and mitigates risks before they ever impact the project timeline.”
As physical infrastructure scales, the digital architecture supporting it needs to keep pace. Rakuten Symphony’s Osamu Mizoguchi held a live demonstration showing how Rakuten Cloud is tackling the industry-wide challenge of managing both traditional Virtual Machines (VMs) and modern containerized applications. “Currently, many VM customers rely heavily on Windows, so transitioning to Linux and Kubernetes feels like a very high hurdle,” Mizoguchi explained. “We have built a mechanism that makes deployment as easy as possible directly through the UI.”
Mizoguchi demonstrated how Rakuten Cloud erases this boundary by offering a unified user interface where VMs and containers sit side-by-side, effectively democratizing complex Kubernetes management. “The user provisions storage without needing to be conscious of whether it is a container or a VM.”
Whether in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, or telecom, this unified approach ensures that enterprises can build AI-ready environments without abandoning existing virtualization investments. For organizations managing decentralized edge clusters, this level of automated visibility and control is not just convenient, stressed Mizoguchi, but essential to handle large-scale infrastructure.
The power of open, multi-vendor connectivity
Reflecting on Rakuten Symphony Japan’s reception at Interop Tokyo, Masaki noted a distinct shift in what enterprise leaders are seeking.
“There is massive interest specifically in AI optimization through edge cloud and operational automation/orchestration,” Masaki said. “Companies want to know how to run AI with low latency and high security right on the front lines – like in stores or factories – and how to use automation to reduce the management costs of an ever-growing number of physical sites. We are seeing extremely high interest in this kind of practical infrastructure transformation that directly impacts the realities of business.”
The event validated a strong, latent market demand for Rakuten Symphony’s brand of technological intervention.
“We wanted to increase brand awareness by proving that the technology we cultivated in the telecom industry can be applied to digital transformation in other sectors, such as retail and manufacturing,” he said. “In terms of results, we were able to move beyond just generating technical interest to having practical discussions with many companies facing concrete challenges.”
So what happens when AI runs physical infrastructure? As the Rakuten Symphony team demonstrated, it leads to the elimination of manual bottlenecks, proactive risk mitigation, and a massive reduction in operational costs – transforming physical sites into intelligent, self-optimizing networks.
“Our ultimate goal is to build a highly robust and flexible infrastructure foundation that supports the integration of AI across Japanese society,” Masaki stressed. “We aren’t just providing tools; our aim is to empower Japanese companies holistically – from infrastructure to applications – so they can maximize the benefits of AI and redefine their competitive edge.”

rakuten.today/blog/...-rakuten-symphony-at-interop-tokyo.html

Jul 07, 2026, 13:41 ET

SAN MATEO, Calif. and LONDON, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Viber is bringing ChatGPT directly to your fingertips. Through a new global partnership with OpenAI, Viber users can now access ChatGPT-powered tools for free and without leaving the app.
You don't need to be a tech expert to use these tools in Viber. They are designed to make AI accessible to everyone, even if you have never used an AI assistant before. Whether you need to edit a photo, draft the perfect message, or find inspiration for a new recipe, these new features are just a tap away (usage limits apply).

www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/...w-in-viber-302819797.html

Rakuten TV, Sony Pictures Entertainment partnership brings 20 FAST channels to Europe

European VoD service Rakuten TV is launching 20 new FAST channels in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The channels are a mix of single-IP brands and thematic fiction channels. They will be available shortly in Spain, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Nordics and the Netherlands.

As part of the agreement, new channels streaming in Spain include: Shark Tank, dedicated to the hit format; The Blacklist, featuring episodes of the James Spader drama; Series Comedia, curating episodes of comedies such as Seinfeld and The Nanny; and Éxitos, featuring episodes of Charlie’s Angels and Married… with Children.

Additional channels available across Europe include Thriller TV (UK, Germany), Dragons’ Den (UK), Embrujada (Italy) and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (UK).

Marcos Milanez, chief content officer at Rakuten TV, said: “This new agreement with Sony Pictures strengthens a relationship that already spans various areas of collaboration across TVoD, AVoD and now FAST.

www.c21media.net/news/...p-brings-20-fast-channels-to-europe/

Nagasaki Prefecture and Nagasaki City not only have robust support for attracting companies, but also have strengths in system-related faculties and departments at national and prefectural universities, making them regions where the recruitment of highly skilled IT personnel can be expected to continue. In Nagasaki, a region with many talented individuals who wish to build long-term careers rooted in their hometown, our company aims to establish a development system that continuously creates value over the medium to long term by balancing employee retention and growth.

The Nagasaki Sales Office is located in the NBC Building, which is part of the Nagasaki Station Area Land Readjustment Project, and is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Nagasaki Station. The office area is approximately 630, with about 50 seats planned for office spaces, and the office space will be designed based on concepts and designs similar to those in Tokyo and Fukuoka, encouraging employees to demonstrate their abilities and foster organizational collaboration.

www.rakuten-card.co.jp/corporate/press_release/20260713/

JULY 05, 2026

www.kobo.com/blog/the-best-ereader-for-manga

Rakuten Mobile rolls out 5G open RAN radios with 1Finity

July 14, 2026

The deployment focuses on local coverage densification to support Rakuten Mobile’s ongoing network expansion.

Designed with a compact and lightweight form factor, 1Finity stated the high-power RU is engineered to reduce physical installation space and lower site lease costs for the operator.

Additionally, the energy-efficient design aligns with growing industry pressure on mobile operators to curb power consumption during major network densification campaigns.

1Finity’s RUs have been integrated into Rakuten Mobile’s infrastructure by connecting with Rakuten Symphony’s virtualised centralised Unit/distributed unit (vCU/DU) software and Rakuten Mobile’s core network management system.

www.mobileworldlive.com/?p=508825

Rakuten Viki Expands Its Chinese Drama Lineup with New Romance Series Love for You

July 10, 2026

Rakuten Viki, the global streaming destination for Asian entertainment, continues to expand its premium Chinese drama offering through its partnership with MangoTV, one of China's leading platforms. As part of this collaboration, the highly anticipated romance series Love for You is now available on Viki, blending themes of first love and family bonds with an underlying crime mystery.

www.einnews.com/pr_news/925682723/...ance-series-love-for-you

To kick off the workshop, the OpenAI team opened the floor to a discussion on how Rakuten’s engineers are using Codex today in their daily workflows, and shared live demos of some of the Codex’s latest features. This was followed by a hands-on building session that let employees put theory into practice and build agents with capabilities ranging from task automation to app development. Employees worked side-by-side with the OpenAI team, engaging directly, asking questions, and receiving guidance.

A separate session was reserved for non-engineers looking to put this new technology to work in their own roles. The OpenAI team demonstrated key Codex use cases across disciplines including sales, data analytics, and product management.

OpenAI team walks through new features of their Codex platform
“Through these workshops, I hope our employees get an idea of how we can accelerate Rakuten’s mission for AI-nization,” shared Kaji Yusuke, General Manager of AI for Business at Rakuten. “For engineers, it means learning to manage the loop and shifting focus from writing code themselves to letting AI get things done more autonomously. For non-engineers, it means learning that building software is more accessible – if you can describe clearly what you want, you can build it.”

Day two: digging deeper
On the second day of the workshop, advanced users dug deeper into Codex’s capabilities, learning how to build and maintain complex, reliable software at scale. Rather than relying on one-off prompts and repeated guidance, the OpenAI team showed how to build automations that run on a regular cadence, integrating repeatedly into their workflows for greater, more consistent value.

The centerpiece of the day was the Clinic – 15-minute one-on-one slots where teams could sit down directly with the OpenAI team to talk through their specific setup, challenges, and goals. Demand for these slots was high, and spaces were limited, so employees were offered an additional Office Hours block at the end of the day, giving everyone who wanted direct access to the OpenAI team a chance to get their questions answered. Regardless of technical background, every attendee left with Codex configured and a working sense of how to use it.

“The focus of this workshop is to give Rakuten teams hands-on experience with how AI can be integrated into their workflow,” shared Derek Feriancek, Codex Deployed Engineer at OpenAI. “Rather than treating AI as a standalone tool, we want participants to explore how AI can support their everyday work, making them move faster and work more efficient – in a responsible way.”

What we learned
Engagement was strong across both days. Colleagues came in with real use cases and workflows already in hand, which made the hands-on sessions and consultations far more actionable than a typical training session – people weren’t just learning about Codex in the abstract, they were figuring out how to apply it to problems they were already working on. The one-on-one Clinic and Office Hours slots proved especially valuable, giving teams direct access to OpenAI’s own experts to sharpen their approach and troubleshoot in real time.

Accelerating AI-nization across Rakuten Group
Workshops like this are a key part of how Rakuten is scaling AI adoption across the organization. Pairing direct guidance from industry leaders such as OpenAI with hands-on practice tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences, lowers the barrier to entry and gives more teams the confidence and skills to bring AI into their daily workflows. The strong turnout and direct engagement with the OpenAI team reflect the kind of leadership support and open dialogue that helps AI adoption take hold across an organization – not as a top-down mandate, but as something teams actively want to explore and use daily.

rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-codex-workshop-openai.html

The dilution of ASTS through the convertible bond is a nonevent, it could increase the about 390 million shares only about 13 million shares (= between 3% and 4%).