Rakuten is a Japanese e-commerce company founded in 1997 that has expanded internationally. It operates Japan's largest online marketplace and offers services in credit/payments, portal/media, travel, securities, and professional sports. Rakuten plans to conduct all executive meetings in English and require high-ranking employees to become proficient in English within two years or face firing, as part of efforts to internationalize the company. This decision has generated strong reactions in Japan's business world and questions around the level of English proficiency that will be expected.

1. How Rakuten is planning to run their entire business in English?
S117 0225 Naoki Okada

2. History of Rakuten.
In 1997, Mr. Mikitani founded MDM Inc,
predecessor of Rakuten in Feb.
In 1997, “Rakuten Ichiba” the Internet shopping
mall, commences operation in May.
In 1999, MDM inc. is renamed as Rakuten, Ic.

3. History of Rakuten.
In 2005, Inc acquires 100% of shares in LinkShare
Corporation through Rakuten USA Inc. to
spearhead global internet.
In 2008, Rakuten Inc. and “President Chain Store”
establish a joint venture to start a Taiwan-based
internet shopping mall business: Rakuten Ichiba
Taiwan.
In 2010, Rakuten, Inc. announced the acquisition of
PriceMinister S.A, the most visited e-mmerce site in
France.

4. Outline Rakuten
Founging 1997.
President Hiroshi Mikitani
Some 10000 employees worldwide.
Rakuten ranks amongst the top 10 Internet
Companies in the world.

5. Rakuten Besiness
E-Commerce Marketplace managing Japan's largest
online retail marketplace.
Credit and Payments, offering personal consumer
credit services including consumer loan card
payment and loans.
Portal and Media, managing portal sites – which act
as the gateway to the internet – and performing
other services.

6. Rakuten Besiness
Travel, operating hotel booking and other travel-
related websites and prividing other service.
Securities, providing services such as online
securities brokerage
Professional Sports, managing a professional
baseball team.

7. International Rakuten
Rakuten doesn't become proficient in English in
two years' time will be fired.
The move is part of the web company's efforts to
go global. Rakuten intends to conduct all executive
meeting in English.
The decision is generated strong reaction strong
elsewhere in Japan business world.

8. International Rakuten
The implication is the high-ranking employees
would be fired if they failed to fulfill the new
requirement.
Some in the business world are also wondering just
to what standard of English employees will be held
to.

9. Summary
Business – E-commerce Marketplace, Credit and
Payment, Portal and Media, Travel, Securities,
Professional Sports.
International Rakuten – Rakuten is becoming to
International Language is English.

10. References
http://global.rakuten.com/corp/company/history.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakuten
http://injapan.gaijinpot.com/2010/07/20/rakutens-decision-on-english-not-welcomed