Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Group have announced the full-scale launch of Rakuten AI, a new cutting-edge AI agent designed to enhance user experiences and streamline interactions across the Rakuten Ecosystem, as well as enrich and empower daily life. The initial rollout integrates Rakuten AI into Rakuten Link, the communication app for Rakuten Mobile subscribers, and offers Rakuten AI as a web app (beta), heralding the start of the Rakuten Agentic AI era. Rakuten AI is free of charge to use in all its forms, and rollout on Rakuten Ichiba is planned for Autumn 2025.
Rakuten AI is an essential gateway seamlessly integrated with the expansive Rakuten Ecosystem, spanning diverse sectors including shopping, lifestyle, fintech, travel, education, work, wellness and entertainment. In addition to Rakuten AI’s robust research and action capabilities, its deep Japanese Context Awareness is a key differentiator, enabling integration with local services through its comprehensive understanding of the Japanese language and culture, and delivering personalized experiences designed to foster lifelong happiness, success and fulfillment.
Rakuten AI is integrated into the Rakuten Link communication app for Rakuten Mobile subscribers. Originally launched as Rakuten Link AI in October 2024, the updated version empowers subscribers with AI chat and auto-generated prompts for effortless Rakuten Ecosystem searches. Users can conveniently input queries via text, voice-to-text conversion and image search, and choose from multiple AI-generated prompts for follow-up questions.
Rakuten AI will roll out on Rakuten Ichiba in Autumn 2025 in the next step of the ongoing optimization and expansion of agentic AI within the Rakuten Ecosystem. Within Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten AI will leverage integrated specialized agents and insights data including user attributes, preferences and purchasing trends to offer users personalized product recommendations.
Ting Cai, Chief AI & Data Officer, Rakuten Group
The launch of Rakuten AI represents a significant step forward in our AI strategy. By seamlessly integrating Rakuten AI into all of our core services, starting with Rakuten Link today and Rakuten Ichiba later this autumn, we are empowering users to express themselves and get more things done in less time, from complex research to immediate actions. Intelligent and personalized, Rakuten AI transforms the way users interact with services. This is a key element in realizing our vision for an Agentic Ecosystem, where AI agents drive deeper engagement and create even greater value for our customers and partners.
