The less bumpy way to ride e-commerce = Rakuten (Seite 2)

[FlankerStan]

Excellent Results of Rakuten Bank

https://contents.xj-storage.jp/xcontents/AS92404/1b2adf53/ed…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Securities with new robo advisor

https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/newsrelease/pdf/pr…

[FlankerStan]

On the fence about how to manage your mobile network? Let history be your guide

By Geoff Hollingworth

Chief Marketing Officer Rakuten Symphony
May 6, 2024

In this post I want to expand on the statements I made about game changing innovation and the paradigm shift facing telecom.

At day zero before a disruptive technology is launched, everything feels normal and under control. But looking back at that moment from the future, it’s apparent that the change was so impactful it makes you wonder how we functioned without it.

A good example is the launch of Web 2.0 in 2007. At the time, we were all happily surfing statically created Web 1.0 web pages on our computers. But now can we imagine a world without the social media, photo sharing, e-commerce and other capabilities that define how we use the Internet today? The same thing can be said about smartphones and many other technologies.

It's day zero for Telecom Reinvented

For MNOs it’s day zero of a massive shift in terms of both their operational mindset and technologies that are leveraged, which are virtualized, software-driven, and feature standardized network software and hardware. And it’s hard to see the changes when you are at day zero. This new approach is distinguished by the need for a network-wide standardized data pool to be created and used for AI-powered autonomous automation.

The MNOs who embrace this network industrialization can change their businesses by taking advantage of the opportunities for cost cutting and new revenues that this network paradigm shift brings with it.

Rakuten Mobile has been at the forefront of this change in leveraging a software-first automation approach to manage a nation-wide network with only 250 engineers. Other MNOs will look back on this change and ask themselves, how did we boost our revenue when we couldn’t launch complex 5G standalone services with a zero-touch approach?

Or how did we support new services when we couldn’t autonomously manage tens of thousands of edge network servers?

Or how did we make a profit when we had such huge teams of network engineers managing the network?

We also have the chance to answer other pressing questions. How do we make AI safe? How do we reduce fraud?

I think we'll all look back at this period the same way as we look back at the start of Web 2.0 apps or the smart phone in 2007. Those MNOs who are late to the network industrialization revolution will struggle to compete and they will reflect on this inflection point and realize the consequences of not adopting this reinvented approach to telecom.

And if telecom is not taking advantage of these important changes in the next 10-15 years, shame on the industry.

https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/on-the-fence-about-how-to-…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Product Conference 2024: Enterprise SaaS and AI

May 09, 2024

Unlock the power of technology for everyone. Join us at Rakuten Product Conference ‘24 on May 21st and 22nd as we reimagine innovation in Enterprise SaaS and AI.

[FlankerStan]

"SAIKYO KIDS Program" on Youtube

May 10, 2024

Rakuten Mobile has announced the start of the "SAIKYO KIDS Program" to support children's first smartphones. If monthly data usage stays within 3GB, users essentially only pay 480 yen per month (538 yen including taxes) until the age of 12. At the announcement event, a Rakutenian and their child held a panel discussion where they talked about smartphone use for elementary school students, in addition to the benefits of the program from the parent's perspective.

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Mobile has announced the start of the "SAIKYO KIDS Program" to support children's first smartphones

MAY 10, 2024

Rakuten Mobile has announced the start of the "SAIKYO KIDS Program" to support children's first smartphones. If monthly data usage stays within 3GB, users essentially only pay 480 yen per month (538 yen including taxes) until the age of 12. At the announcement event, a Rakutenian and their child held a panel discussion where they talked about smartphone use for elementary school students, in addition to the benefits of the program from the parent's perspective.

https://global.rakuten.com/corp/innovation/rnn/2024/2405_009…

[FlankerStan]

Kobo’s Elipsa 2E, our favorite e-reader for taking notes, is down to its best price yet

By Sheena Vasani
May 10, 2024

I’ll be honest: every model in Amazon’s discounted Kindle lineup is fantastic for those embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, but it’s Kobo that makes my absolute favorite e-readers. If you don’t mind buying ebooks outside of Amazon, Kobo’s e-readers offer fantastic value for the money, which is why I’m excited by today’s sale. The Kobo Sage and Kobo Clara 2E are up to $30 off at Target, but it’s the Kobo Elipsa 2E, which is matching its all-time low of $349.99 ($50 off) at Target and Rakuten Kobo, that stands out the most. Even better, Rakuten Kobo is throwing in a $10 credit when you buy a $50 gift card, which can be used toward an ebook or audiobook from the Kobo store.

Kobo’s ad-free Elipsa 2E is my favorite e-reader for taking notes, namely because it offers features its biggest rival — the Kindle Scribe — currently lacks. Most notably, you can write directly on any page and get a whopping 32GB of storage, which is twice that of the base Kindle Scribe. It’s also a good replacement for a notebook with a great selection of pens, one that can convert your handwriting into typed text and even solve math equations for you. It offers a spacious 10.3-inch screen and support for a wide array of file formats, too, and while it doesn’t natively support Kindle books, Kobo’s bookstore offers millions of titles. There are even ways to convert books purchased from Amazon, though they can be somewhat time-consuming.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/10/24153539/kobo-elipsa-2e-e…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten and Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion Sign MoU to Promote Thai Products

Tokyo, May 10, 2024 - Rakuten Group and the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion of Thai products.

From left to right: Director and Group Executive Vice President of Rakuten Group Kazunori Takeda, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Thailand Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Director General, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand Mr. Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit

This MoU is part of the "TOPTHAI" project led by DITP, aimed at collaborating with leading e-commerce platform operators in their respective countries to increase awareness and promote sales of Thai products.

The TOPTHAI project is currently rolled out in nine countries and regions around the world, and Rakuten has been selected to represent the 10th partner, Japan*1. Through this MoU, the two organizations plan to open an official TOPTHAI Store on the online marketplace Rakuten Ichiba to promote sales of Thai products. They will also cooperate on planning marketing activities to increase sales of Thai products and supporting activities for Thai entrepreneurs through e-commerce-related seminars and other initiatives. Rakuten Ichiba will be the first e-commerce site in Japan to host an official TOPTHAI Store.

As the first phase of this initiative, the TOPTHAI Product Exhibition will be held on the TOPTHAI Store from May 10 to July 10, 2024. The site aims to promote Thai products by showcasing their appeal alongside recipes using Thai ingredients and seasoning. Coupons usable on-purchase will also be distributed to shoppers, further sweetening the appeal of the products on display.

Rakuten and DITP have collaborated in the past to increase awareness and promote sales of Thai products. For instance, they have launched dedicated webpages on Rakuten Ichiba showcasing Thai products, as well as jointly hosted a Thai Fair campaign on Rakuten Ichiba in 2023 during the 23rd Thai Festival Tokyo held at Yoyogi Park, where online coupons were distributed to attract customers to both the online campaign and the offline event.

The two organizations will continue to promote the unique charms of Thai products in Japan, including new products that are not yet well established in Japan, and create an enjoyable shopping experience for all users.

global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0510_01.html

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Insight Appoints Steve Lonergan Regional Head Americas

New York, May 09, 2024 – Rakuten Insight Global, Inc., a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary of Rakuten Group, Inc., has appointed Steve Lonergan as Regional Head Americas. In this pivotal role, Lonergan will be responsible for spearheading operations and driving sales growth in the Americas region.

Lonergan brings over 20 years of experience in the market research industry, having previously served as Vice President of Sales at Dynata. With a proven track record of success, Lonergan has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of business dynamics in the market research landscape.

Adam Birss, Executive Officer at Rakuten Insight, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the Rakuten Insight Global family. His extensive expertise aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of expanding our presence in the Americas region and providing our clients with a reliable one-stop online data solution for Asia, US & Beyond.”

“I am excited to join the Rakuten Insight family,” said Lonergan. “I look forward to working with the team to drive growth and further enhance our position as a leader in the market research industry.”

About Rakuten Insight Global
Rakuten Insight Global, Inc. (“Rakuten Insight”) is a wholly-owned online market research subsidiary company of Rakuten Group, Inc. Rakuten Insight was established in 1997 as AIP Corporation and became part of the Rakuten Group in 2014. Rakuten Insight possesses a research panel focusing on 12 countries and regions in Asia & the US and a panel network covering 60 countries and regions. With offices in 11 countries and regions, Rakuten Insight provides market research for over 500 leading companies around the world.

https://insight.rakuten.com/rakuten-insight-appoints-steve-l…

[FlankerStan]

Rakuten Medical Announces Poster Presentation and Booth Exhibition at ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting

- Poster will highlight interim evaluation update of photoimmunotherapy based on Alluminoxtm platform using ASP-1929 in combination with anti-PD-1 -

Japanese treating physicians will present a poster on the latest data on photoimmunotherapy in clinical practice in Japan for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma Disclaimer: Rakuten Medical's therapies based on Alluminoxtm platform are investigational outside of Japan.

SAN DIEGO, May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing precision, cell-targeting photoimmunotherapy based on its proprietary Alluminoxtm platform, today announced that it will present a poster at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (ASCO 2024), which will be held in Chicago, Illinois from May 31 through June 4, 2024.

Read more at: https://www.lelezard.com/en/news-21372626.html