Rakuten, initially an online marketplace, has evolved into a major Japanese tech conglomerate with interests in e-commerce, fintech, and telecom. Founder Mickey Mikitani discusses the key decisions driving Rakuten’s success, including embracing the internet early and investing in AI. The interview explores Rakuten’s future and its role in Japanese entrepreneurship.
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Rakuten began as an online marketplace at a time when few believed the internet could support a real business. Nearly three decades later, it has grown into one of Japan's best-known tech companies, spanning e-commerce, fintech, telecom, and digital services.
In this episode of "Managing Asia," founder and CEO Mickey Mikitani looks back on the decisions that shaped Rakuten's growth — including his early conviction in the internet, his push to make English the company's common language, and his willingness to take on Japan's entrenched mobile players.
He also shares why Rakuten is now focusing on artificial intelligence, how he approaches long-term investment, and what he hopes the company can represent for the future of Japanese entrepreneurship.
Watch Christine Tan's interview with Mickey Mikitani by clicking the video above.
