Rakuten has launched a comprehensive AI platform called “Rakuten AI,” designed to enhance and streamline user experiences across its entire ecosystem of services. The full-scale launch began on July 30, 2025, with initial integration into Rakuten Link, the communication app for Rakuten Mobile subscribers. Rakuten AI is accessible free of charge and also available as a standalone web app in beta, aimed at broad user engagement in digital communications.
The platform features advanced agentic AI capabilities, including chat functions, automatic search prompts, voice-to-text and image input, AI research, personalized shopping recommendations, translation, text reading support, programming assistance, and image generation. Rakuten AI has deep Japanese language and cultural awareness, which enables it to provide personalized, context-rich interactions in areas like e-commerce, fintech, travel, education, wellness, and entertainment.
A significant expansion is planned for autumn 2025, when Rakuten AI will be integrated into Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten’s flagship e-commerce marketplace. This integration will offer users real-time product recommendations based on behavioral data and purchasing insights, broadening the AI’s role in personalized customer experiences.
Additionally, Rakuten Mobile offers a corporate-focused generative AI service called “Rakuten AI for Business,” launched earlier in 2025, which supports business tasks such as document creation, translation, brainstorming, and analysis. This service is optimized for the Japanese market and business customs, emphasizing security and ease of deployment at a monthly subscription rate.
Rakuten’s AI initiative, branded under the term “AI-nization,” reflects the company’s strategic commitment to embedding AI deeply within its product ecosystem to empower both consumers and businesses. This approach was highlighted at Rakuten AI Optimism 2025, a three-day event dedicated to showcasing AI technologies and innovations across Rakuten’s services.
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