Rakuten is a Japanese technology conglomerate founded in 1997 by Hiroshi Mikitani. Its name means "optimism" in Japanese, reflecting its philosophy. The company operates globally, offering a wide range of services, including e-commerce, financial technology (FinTech), digital content, and communications. Rakuten is known for its loyalty program, Rakuten Points, which connects its diverse services into a unique ecosystem. It also owns popular platforms like Rakuten Viber and Rakuten Kobo and has been a sponsor of major sports teams like FC Barcelona and the Golden State Warriors