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Tag: Japan

  • Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    Japanese juice chain Honey’s Bar makes Singapore debut

    A new healthy and refreshing beverage option in town to quench your thirst and restore your energy. HONEY’S BAR Singapore, will commence its operation on 15th April 2021 with its very first store located at Jurong Point, Level B1-85, just along the SHOKUTSU TEN Japanese Food Street.

    Maintaining at a good selection of 8 juice options at all times, all of HONEY’S BAR juices are made with honey exclusively imported from Japan as its base ingredient with no added sugars. Honey is easily digested by the human body, making it an excellent energy absorption ingredient, thereby the best supplement to be used in a drink for energy replenishment. It also contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for everyone.

    In line with the seasonality of Japanese food production cycle, HONEY’S BAR also offers seasonal juices that are specially curated with seasonal Japanese fruits. From the classic ‘Mixed Juice’, ‘Carrot & Apricot’, ‘Melon’ menu to the premium seasonal menu like ‘Japanese Strawberry Mix Yoghurt’ and ‘Japanese Seasonal Citrus, Mango and Apple’, it aims to offer Singaporeans the taste of ‘Japan’ with Japanese fruit ingredients that are imported directly from Japan.

    Coming in 3 different sizes for all 8 menus – Small, Regular, and Large. Every cup of fresh fruit juice offered by HONEY’S BAR are served with a controlled sweetness from honey to ensure an enjoyable ‘sipping’ experience.

    Operated as a franchise chain business in Singapore, HONEY’S BAR is managed by JRE Ya Kun Food Service Pte. Ltd, a local joint venture company formed by JR East’s Singapore subsidiary, JR East Business Development SEA Pte. Ltd., and Ya Kun International Pte Ltd (Ya Kun).

    Through HONEY’S BAR, both JR East and Ya Kun aim to capture the attention of health-conscious consumers with a passion for healthy and refreshing beverages that taste refreshing and delightful!

  • How to watch the Tokyo Olympics this summer on your smartphone

    How to watch the Tokyo Olympics this summer on your smartphone

    The rearranged 2020 summer Olympic games are scheduled to begin in Tokyo in July. Postponed 12 months due to the coronavirus epidemic and resulting lockdowns, the opening ceremony will be staged on 23 July, with the closing ceremony bringing the curtain down on 8 August.

    This has been one of the most talked-about summer Olympics in living memory. For much of last year, it was feared the event would make unwanted history by being cancelled. Thankfully for all concerned, including more than 11,000 athletes involved, the show goes on. Fans will be in attendance at most of the events, but overseas spectators are barred. That should make for a strong home crowd advantage for the Japanese athletes.

    That means the only way to cheer home your favourite athletes is on television or a live stream. We explain how to place bets on Tokyo 2020 at onlinesportsbetting.net, then watch the action for free on your smartphone or tablet device.

    Never miss an event with live streaming

    All major international sports betting companies offer members odds on the outcome of every event at this summer’s games. This allows you to spice up your viewing by having a financial interest in 100m, pole vault and long jump. The Olympics is an exciting watch, but it’s even better when you have the opportunity to land a profit from the results.

    Not only do leading sportsbooks offer several eye-catching betting markets on your favourite events, but they also grant members access to their modern, reliable and HD quality live streaming feeds. This means you can bet on the sport and follow the action live from anywhere in the country on the app, providing you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.

    There’s even better news for those eager to ensure they don’t miss the Olympic games after being forced to wait an extra 12 months. The live streaming service offered by betting sites is free to view if you have a registered account with a bookmaker and place a bet on the result or have funds available in your balance to make an in-play bet.

    Below we walk you through the basic steps to register for a betting account, place a wager on the Tokyo 2020 and watch the live stream for free.

    Create an online betting account

    To bet on and watch Tokyo 2020, you must have a registered online betting account with a licensed, regulated bookmaker legal in your region. Do your research and find a sportsbook that appeals to you and check out the welcome bonus offered to new customers. Most betting apps give new players a free bet when they sign up.

    Registering for a betting account and landing the welcome bonus is easy, taking just a few minutes to complete.

    Here’s how to register today;

    1. Choose your preferred sportsbook and visit their website or mobile app
    2. Click the sign-up button at the top of the homepage
    3. Fill in the registration form, providing name, age and address
    4. Create a username and password
    5. Make your first deposit and bet on sports
    6. Your free bet welcome bonus will be added

    Place a bet on Tokyo 2020

    To be eligible to watch the live streaming free of charge, most betting sites ask that you first make a bet on the outcome. This can be for as little as a 0.50 stake. When your bet is live, you can then watch the sports feed on your chosen device.

    Placing a bet on an event from Tokyo 2020 is hassle-free, taking less than 60 seconds in most cases. You can do this from home on your desktop computer or on the move by downloading the sportsbook’s mobile app.

    Here’s how to place a bet on the Olympic games;

    1. Deposit funds to your betting account from your debit or e-wallet account
    2. Click the Tokyo 2020 tab and browse the available markets
    3. Select the event you wish to bet on and make your prediction
    4. Your pick will be added to your bet slip. Input your stake
    5. Your bet will be live, and Olympic now watch the live stream at no extra cost

    Watch Tokyo 2020 on your mobile

    When your bet is live, you should click the live streaming tab. There you will find all sports events available to view. Choose the one you have placed a bet on and click the live stream link. The stream will begin just before the advertised start time.

    Sit back and enjoy the show.

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  • Nissan To Focus On Fuel-Sipping Technology And Electrification In China

    Nissan To Focus On Fuel-Sipping Technology And Electrification In China

    Japan’s financially challenged Nissan Motor Co is expected to show off a new “must-succeed” car and explain its green-car strategy for China at the Shanghai auto show which starts on Monday, two company officials told Reuters. The car Nissan plans to show off at the motor show is the significantly redesigned X-Trail sport-utility vehicle (SUV). A similar SUV called the Rogue hit the U.S. market last year. The new X-Trail will be available in China later this year.

    The new car is powered by a fuel-sipping three-cylinder, petrol-powered turbo engine, which one of the sources said might face an uphill battle in gaining acceptance in China where similar technologies have proven unpopular.

    The car is a “must succeed, a must-win car for us,” one of the two sources said. Both sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak with reporters.

    In addition to the X-Trail’s China debut, Nissan’s chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta is expected to tell reporters in Shanghai virtually from Japan on Monday that Nissan’s green car strategy is two-pronged: the company will focus on fuel efficiency-enhancing petrol-electric hybrid technology, as well as battery-electric cars to make its lineup of vehicles in China greener.

    Nissan will focus on fuel efficiency-enhancing petrol-electric hybrid technology, as well as battery-electric cars to make its lineup of vehicles in China greener.

    In January, Nissan said all its new vehicles in key markets, including China, would be electrified by the early 2030s, as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

    The strategy comes as regulatory pressure in China grows on carmakers to slash emissions.

    China is a key pillar of Nissan’s turnaround strategy, which involves focusing on producing profitable cars for China, Japan and the United States, rather than chasing all-out global growth pursued by ousted boss Carlos Ghosn.

    The company is scrambling to slash its production capacity and model line-up by a fifth and to cut fixed costs by 300 billion yen ($2.8 billion). Nissan aims to achieve a 5% operating profit margin and a sustainable global market share of 6% by the end of fiscal year 2023.

    It wasn’t immediately clear how much detail Nissan plans to share on its China strategy on Monday.

    The two sources said Nissan nonetheless plans to start taking “pre-orders” in China for its upcoming electric Ariya SUV before the end of this year.

    Nissan also plans to launch a hybrid “e-Power” version of the Sylphy compact car this year and an e-Power X-Trail as early as next year.

    A company spokeswoman said Nissan plans to showcase in Shanghai the redesign X-Trail crossover, as well as the introduction of Nissan’s e-power petrol-electric hybrid technology to China. She declined to comment otherwise.

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  • Daiso opens first store in Canada comeback

    Daiso opens first store in Canada comeback

    Japanese retailer Daiso has launched its first directly operated Canada store in downtown Vancouver.

    Taking over a former bookstore space, the debut Daiso Canada spans 4700sqft and features a selection of 12,000 products, ranging from seasonal items, stationery and cosmetics to homewares – mostly imported from Japan.

    JLL Canada will be responsible for Daiso’s further expansion in the country, identifying sites for further stores.

    This is the second time the Japanese retailer has entered Canada. It first launched in 2003 through a franchise agreement with Fairchild Group, however, in 2019, the store was taken over by Japanese variety store Oomomo.

    Daiso now operates more than 3000 stores in its home country and 5000 internationally.

    The company’s business model is the so-called ‘100-yen shop’ concept where all products are priced similarly.

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  • Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing lifts full-year profit outlook

    Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing lifts full-year profit outlook

    Japan’s Fast Retailing, the owner of clothing brand Uniqlo, on Thursday reported a 23 percent jump in half-yearly operating profit and raised its full-year profit estimate.

    The company has been among the most resilient retailers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Uniqlo’s focus on China and Japan helped it escape the worst of the downturn that hit the United States and Europe. Fast Retailing said operating profit was 168 billion yen ($1.53 billion) in the six months through February, against 136.7 billion yen a year earlier.

    The company raised its full-year operating profit forecast to 255 billion yen from 245 billion yen. The average estimate in a Refinitiv poll of 15 analysts was 262.9 billion yen. During the pandemic, Uniqlo briskly sold masks and saw strong demand for its stay-at-home jogging pants and other comfortable apparel.

    However, the company is now dealing with crises in Myanmar and China that are upsetting its supply chain and one of its most important foreign markets.

    Fires broke out at two of Fast Retailing’s partner factories in Myanmar last month amid unrest that followed a military coup. The company has had to halt operations at some facilities in the country due to martial law conditions.

    In China, the company and other Western brands are facing a backlash over criticisms of alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang province. Fast Retailing operates about 800 Uniqlo stores on the mainland, about the same number as its home market of Japan.

    Western brands including H&M, Burberry, Nike and Adidas have been hit by consumer boycotts in China for raising concerns about forced labor in Xinjiang, a major producer of cotton. Five brand ambassadors for Fast Retailing in China have quit amid the backlash.

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  • Foodpanda to drive Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia

    Foodpanda to drive Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia

    Food and grocery delivery service Foodpanda has launched a Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia in the lead-up to WHO’s World Immunisation Week. The campaign, which aims to reach more than 10 million people across Asia, will include a series of content across digital and social media channels, providing information and resources on local vaccination programs.

    It will be rolled out in phases across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Japan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

    “The region’s battle with Covid-19 is ongoing, and we have to stay vigilant on keeping our ecosystem safe,” said Jakob Angele, CEO of Foodpanda. “Leveraging existing channels with our network of riders, merchants, employees and customers, we can raise greater awareness around fighting misinformation and share information around local vaccination programs so that our entire delivery ecosystem can be informed and mobilized.”

    Besides its social media campaign, Foodpanda will also join hands with local authorities to support vaccination programs in Singapore, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

    “We will continuously explore ways to play a part in the fight against Covid-19.”

  • Flash Coffee to open 300 outlets after fresh funding round

    Flash Coffee to open 300 outlets after fresh funding round

    Tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee has raised US$15 million in its Series A funding led by White Star Capital, aiming to launch 300 stores this year.

    The Series A round sets the total capital raised by Flash Coffee to US$20 million. Investors include Delivery Hero-backed DX Ventures, Global Founders Capital, and Conny & Co.

    The raised funds will be used for accelerating Flash Coffee’s expansion plan in Asia. According to David Brunier, CEO of Flash Coffee, the company will enter into seven new markets this year: Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

    “Our dream is to have a Flash Coffee every 500 meters in all major Asian cities,” said Brunier.

    “We will also build a regional HQ in Singapore and expand our regional tech hub in Jakarta to 50 people to support our vision of fully leveraging technology to improve customer experience, proactively drive growth and significantly increase operational efficiency.”

    Launched in January last year, Flash Coffee business model focuses on grab-and-go physical storefronts that rely on technology, allowing significant cost savings. The company now operates 50 outlets across Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

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  • Archegos Collapse Hits Japan’s Largest Bank

    Archegos Collapse Hits Japan’s Largest Bank

    More losses from the downfall of Bill Hwang’s Archegos Capital Management have been unveiled, this time from Japan’s largest bank. Mitsubishi UFJ Group’s (MUFG) securities arm faces losses of up to $300 million related to an unnamed U.S. client, according to a statement, through its European subsidiary.

    Losses could change depending on market prices and the unwinding of the transactions, though it isn’t expected to have a material impact on MUFG’s business capability or financial soundness.

    MUFG is taking all necessary steps to manage the risk and any effect on earnings will be reflected in the fiscal year starting April 1.

    The statement is widely believed to refer to the collapse of Bill Hwang’s family office Archegos and the latest hit to MUFG brings total global bank losses to as high as $6.3 billion.

    Nomura recently warned of around $2 billion in losses reportedly also believed to be linked to Archegos. Credit Suisse was also significantly impacted with estimated losses of $1 billion to $4 billion.

    Other banks involved, such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, have claimed to see little to no impact. Wells Fargo was the latest to unveil its prime brokerage relationship with Archego but said it did not experience any related losses as the bank was well collateralized at the time and no longer has any exposure.

  • Japan’s retail sales fall for third straight month

    Japan’s retail sales fall for third straight month

    Japanese retail sales fell for the third straight month in February as households kept a lid on expenditure amid the coronavirus emergency, underscoring the fragile nature of the economy’s recovery from last year’s slump.

    Analysts expect Japan’s economy sharply contracted in the first quarter, as lacklustre consumer spending and weakening exports create challenges for policymakers who have already rolled out massive stimulus.

    Retail sales lost 1.5% in February from a year earlier, government data showed on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the median market forecast for a 2.8% drop.

    But it marked the third straight month of declines following January’s 2.4% fall and a 0.2% drop in December.

    “That the coronavirus isn’t subsiding is a major reason to worry about a delay of an economic recovery,” said Atsushi Takeda, chief economist at Itochu Economic Research Institute.

    “Clothes aren’t selling because people aren’t going out,” he said. “People are not really returning to commercial facilities, the trend is for them to go shopping at supermarkets in their neighbourhoods.”
    The broader decline in retail sales was driven by falls in spending on items such as clothing, toiletries and general merchandise, the data showed.

    Compared with the previous month, retail sales rose 3.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis.

    Separate data showed the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was steady at 2.9%, lower than the median forecast of 3.0%.

    There were 1.09 jobs per applicant in February, down from the previous month’s 1.10, labour ministry data showed.

    The world’s third-largest economy is set to contract by an annualised 6.0% in the current quarter, which would be the first decline in three quarters partly due to sagging consumer spending, according to the latest Reuters poll data.

    Some analysts are worried that a longer contraction in household spending and weakening exports raise the prospect of a slower economic recovery than initially thought.

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  • Starbucks opens with new Japanese store design

    Starbucks opens with new Japanese store design

    There are several unique and beautiful Starbucks stores in Japan including the traditional Machiya style store in Kyoto and the Edo-style wooden house store in Kawagoe City, and they have been popular tourist attractions nowadays.

    In 2020 spring, Starbucks Japan opened another unique branch, featuring the tiled roof traditional Japanese house with historic stone lanterns. The “Starbucks Coffee Shinshu Zenkoji Nakamise Street Store” opened in March 2020 as the first regional landmark store in Koshinetsu Region, situated on the Nakamise Street, an approach/shopping street leading to Shinshu Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture.

    The store is set in the historical district near the magnificent temple, and feature very unique and fascinating architectural design with motifs of a traditional Japanese house.

    5 types of Nagano wood are used for the interior that warmly welcomes visitors and express the connection to the local community. The 2nd floor presents the beauty of the lights and shades of Japanese houses with Shoji (wooden-framed paper window) and skylights delivering gentle light to the space.

    In addition, there are several historical essences that present good old Japan such as stone lanterns and wooden beams. At this new Starbucks store, visitors can spend a little bit more quality and luxurious time while enjoying aromatic coffee!

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  • Need for high-speed rail arguments continue unabated

    Need for high-speed rail arguments continue unabated

    More than 10 years after they were first proposed, high-speed railroad plans remain mired in concerns and disagreement over speeds and cost.

    Three high-speed routes are currently under study or have been proposed: north-south, Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho and Hanoi-Lang Son.

    A final report by consultancy consortium CCTDI-TRICC-TEDI, comprising three Vietnamese construction firms, on the master plan for railroad development for 2021-30 sets out two options.

    The more ambitious one envisages the completion of phased investment for two north-south high-speed railways, Hanoi-Vinh and HCMC-Nha Trang by 2030.

    The two railways have a total length of 651 km and might cost VND561 trillion ($24.18 billion) to be built.

    The other is to complete them by 2032 at a cost of VND375 trillion. The consultants forecast a maximum of 14 million passengers using the high-speed trains annually at that time.

    They expect an average of 44.7 million passengers using north-south railroads annually by 2050.

    An expert who asked not to named said however that these options are “overly optimistic,” if not downright unfeasible.

    He said 10 years would not be enough to complete these projects, considering the approvals that need to obtained at various levels, the money that needs to be raised and carrying out the work.

    There is also a continuing debate on whether the trains should run at 200 kph as proposed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and some experts or 350 kph as suggested by the Ministry of Transport and the consultants.

    That may prolong the time required for getting National Assembly approval.

    Dang Huy Dong, director of the Planning and Development Institute, said building infrastructure for trains running at 350kph would be prohibitively expensive, and the resultant high fares would also make the entire thing unviable.

    It is economically efficient to have passenger trains running at a speed of 150kph and freight trains at 100kph, he told local media.

    The State Appraisal Council is in the process of identifying an agency that would assess the feasibility of the various options for the north-south routes.

    Recently the Lang Son Province people’s committee proposed building the Hanoi-Dong Dang high-speed rail starting in 2030, saying is necessary to enhance rail transport between ASEAN countries and China. The proposed route will go on up to Nanning in Guangxi, China.

    Earlier this year the Ministry of Transport ordered the Railway Project Management Board to complete a pre-feasibility study on the HCMC-Can Tho link by 2022.

    The South Construction Technology Science Institute wants high-speed trains on the route with a 1.43-meter double track serving both passenger and freight trains traveling at 200 kph and 100 kph.

    It expected it to cost around $10 billion.

    A Ministry of Transport official said the route might be necessary, but many issues need to be sorted out first. For instance, the 150-km distance might not be ideal for a high-speed train, he said.

    Vu Anh Minh, chairman of Vietnam Railways, said flying from Hanoi to HCMC takes around five hours in all while a high-speed train traveling at 300 kph would take six hours.

    “Considering the nature and geography of Vietnam, the development of a high-speed network is imperative, and we are losing socioeconomic development opportunities every day without it.”

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  • Qualcomm supports SoftBank’s fastest-ever 5G mmWave in Japan

    Qualcomm supports SoftBank’s fastest-ever 5G mmWave in Japan

    Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced that SoftBank Corp. has launched its 5G millimeter (mmWave) service in Japan – using devices based on Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 5G Mobile Platforms and Modem-RF Systems. 5G mmWave allows Japanese users to enjoy the fastest possible multi-Gigabit download speeds in the country. Along with the launch, SoftBank is making the “Pocket WiFi 5G A004ZT” 5G mmWave mobile hotspot available for sale. All initial 5G mmWave-compatible mobile devices in SoftBank’s portfolio, including soon-to-be announced 5G smartphones, are expected to be powered by Qualcomm Technologies’ 5G mmWave products.

    The deployment of 5G mmWave is critical to unleashing the full potential of 5G and addressing the massive increase in mobile data demand. 5G mmWave allows leading operators such as SoftBank to take advantage of the large amount of spectrum resources available in higher bands, enabling them to deliver the world’s fastest multi-gigabit cellular speeds and low latency connectivity.

    5G mmWave is also a cost-effective way for mobile operators to increase the network capacity needed to meet the increasing demand for data in dense urban, fixed wireless access and enterprise environments – with savings up to 35% in total cost of ownership compared to sole use of sub-6 GHz bands.

    “5G mmWave is critical for mobile operators to stay competitive and to realize the full potential of 5G to transform many industries,” said Francesco Grilli, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Japan is at the forefront in deploying the most advanced 5G technologies such as mmWave, and we are honored by working with SoftBank to bring the fastest mobile experiences to Japanese consumers and businesses.”

    “SoftBank is pleased to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies and use its leading 5G mmWave technology to offer world-class 5G service to our subscribers,” said Keigo Sugano, senior vice president, head of product division, SoftBank Corp. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to support Japan’s growth and leadership using the most advanced wireless innovations.”

    This announcement follows SoftBank’s commercial launch of 5G Sub-6 GHz service with smartphones powered by Snapdragon 5G Mobile Platforms in March 2020. The commercial launch of 5G mmWave significantly strengthens SoftBank’s 5G network capabilities, with more mmWave capable mobile devices to be launched going forward.

  • Japan’s malls and restaurants brace for Olympics without foreigners

    Japan’s malls and restaurants brace for Olympics without foreigners

    Shopping malls and restaurants in Japan will miss out on a business boom, as Tokyo expects to hold the Olympics without overseas spectators, dealing another blow to industries already on the ropes from the coronavirus.

    In the years leading up to the Games, developers have poured tens of billions of yen into shopping and dining complexes to serve an influx of foreigners, with major investments made in Tokyo’s central Shibuya district, iconic for its scramble crossing.

    But the number of foreign visitors has dropped from nearly 32 million in 2019 to almost zero, causing the government to halt a spending survey that showed their consumption that year was worth 4.5 trillion yen.

    Now Tokyo 2020’s expected decision to block foreigners from attending the Games means a boost the service sector was counting on to recover lockdown-related losses will not materialize.

    “There was so much development, with new buildings being constructed, but people aren’t coming at all,” said Ryota Himeno, an analyst at JP Morgan Securities Japan.

    Up to eight million tourists visited Shibuya’s bustling clubs and cafes in 2019, and ward chief Ken Hasebe expected 10 million in 2020 before the coronavirus scuppered those plans.

    Himeno says that projected growth prompted developers to spend more than 300 billion yen in the district, which is also home to some venues from the 1964 Olympics.

    The most imposing of the new developments is Shibuya Scramble Square, a 230-meter glass tower that has come to dominate the skyline since opening in 2019.

    Its developer, Tokyu Corp, spent 110 billion yen on projects in Shibuya in the three years through 2020.

    “Our financial results are unfortunately expected to fall into the red in the current period,” said Tokyu’s Ryosuke Toura, with hotel businesses taking the biggest hit, followed by railways and retail.

    Across the Shibuya station, at Masaka, a vegan restaurant inside Parco department store, which reopened after years of renovation in time for the Olympics, foreign tourists used to make up as much as half of the clientele.

    Manager Yuta Namekawa is now pinning his hopes on growing awareness of vegan food among locals, thanks in part to people watching documentaries about the meat industry on Netflix.

    “Part of the reason why the restaurant was opened was because of the Olympics, so it’s quite worrisome if that isn’t happening,” he said. “It can’t be helped.”

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  • Burberry Japan opening a virtual showroom in partnership with Elle

    Burberry Japan opening a virtual showroom in partnership with Elle

    The virtual and interactive experience will replicate the brand’s flapship Ginza store and will serve as a space to present its Spring/Summer 2021 collection. Customers will be able to purchase items from the collection by selecting the digital items in store for one month, beginning from March 19. The experience will live exclusively on Elle Japan and Ellegirl Digital Japan’s websites.

    Burberry is among the leading luxury players to have invested in digital innovation to merge digital and physical store spaces, with Louis Vuitton and Gucci also joining the market. As part of the new experience, Burberry has also collaborated with actress Elaiza Ikeda to create five styling videos that will appear throughout the virtual store and assist customer’s shopping experience.

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  • Rakuten to boost mobile activities with $2.2 billion capital injection

    Rakuten to boost mobile activities with $2.2 billion capital injection

    Japanese e-commerce and tech company Rakuten has sold a 13% share amounting to $2.2 billion to Japan Post, Tencent and Walmart. Japan Post will invest $1.4 billion into Rakuten, thereby owning 8.3% of the company’s total share to become its fourth-largest investor. Tencent will invest $0.6 billion to own 3.6% of the company’s total share, while Walmart will invest $0.15 billion to own a 0.9% share.

    Japan Post’s investment in Rakuten is aimed at strengthening ties between the two Groups and maximizing synergies by leveraging the resources and expertise of both Groups. The alliance will branch into mobile, logistics and digital transformation, with consideration to enter into financial services and e-commerce together.

    There are plans to create shared logistics centers, seeking new collaborations and initiatives between the pair to expand usage of Rakuten Fulfillment Centers and Japan Post’s “Yu-Pack” parcels.

    For the mobile sector, Rakuten will tap onto Japan Post’s nationwide chain of post offices to create customer counters to accept new signup applications for Rakuten Mobile’s marketing campaigns. Meanwhile, Rakuten Group will dispatch specialists to Japan Post to bolster its digital transformation plans.

    Last week, Rakuten Mobile announced that the total number of applications for its UN-LIMIT service plan launched on 8 April 2020 has surpassed 3 million. This week, Rakuten Mobile announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Airspan Networks for the latter to offer its complete vRAN hardware and software platform OpenRANGE on the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP).

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