Rakuten Group has announced a leadership transition at Rakuten India, naming Tsubasa Shiraishi as the new CEO. Shiraishi, who previously served as Vice Chairman of Rakuten India and General Manager of Rakuten Group’s IT Strategy Department, will assume the role effective August 5, 2025. This marks a significant step for Rakuten India, the Group’s key technology hub in Bengaluru, known for its innovation and strategic R&D contributions.
For over five years, Shiraishi has been instrumental in advancing Rakuten’s innovation agenda within India. Rakuten India, founded in 2014, has expanded into a critical global technology center with nearly 2,000 professionals focused on e-commerce, fintech, ecosystem platforms, and services. Shiraishi’s nearly two decades of international leadership experience uniquely position him to integrate Rakuten India’s efforts with the Group’s broader digital transformation initiatives. His appointment underscores Rakuten’s dedication to enhancing cross-border collaboration and unlocking new value within its vast ecosystem.
The new CEO’s priorities will include accelerating innovation, improving operational agility, and deepening strategic collaboration with key Rakuten markets. His leadership aims to usher in a new phase of growth that benefits customers, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.
Rakuten India: Sunil Gopinath, the Outgoing CEO
Sunil Gopinath, the outgoing CEO who led Rakuten India since 2017, has decided to explore new opportunities. During his tenure, Rakuten India evolved into a vital hub, delivering strong impact in commerce, fintech, AI, cloud, and observability. Gopinath praised Shiraishi’s deep understanding of the company’s technological strengths and strategic priorities, highlighting his clear direction, strategic thinking, and respect for the teams as key reasons why he is well-suited to lead Rakuten India forward.
Akihito Kurozumi, Rakuten Group CIO & CTO and Chairman of Rakuten India, expressed confidence that Shiraishi’s leadership will deepen the ties between Rakuten India and the broader Group. Kurozumi emphasized Shiraishi’s proven record of building cross-border business synergies and said Rakuten India will continue its unparalleled growth as a vital part of Rakuten’s global vision. Additionally, Kurozumi extended gratitude to Gopinath for his visionary leadership and lasting contributions to the company’s innovation engine.
In his remarks, Shiraishi expressed excitement and honor in taking on the CEO role during this pivotal moment. He intends to lead the company through its next growth phase while strengthening strategic alignment with global teams and partners. Reflecting on his time with Rakuten India, Shiraishi praised the team’s capabilities and contributions and looks forward to unlocking new opportunities for customers worldwide.
A Key Technology Hub
Rakuten India stands as a key technology hub and innovation center within the larger Rakuten Group. Located in Bengaluru, it plays an essential role in developing fintech solutions, digital content, communication technologies, and leading advancements in artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning. The company’s innovation efforts support Rakuten’s global operations and influence millions of digital service users worldwide.
Rakuten Group, headquartered in Tokyo and founded in 1997, has grown into a global technology leader. Originally an online marketplace, Rakuten now serves over 2 billion members worldwide in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications. With around 30,000 employees across 30 countries, Rakuten continues to empower individuals, communities, businesses, and society through technology.
This leadership transition reflects Rakuten’s strategic focus on innovation, operational excellence, and global collaboration. Shiraishi’s appointment is not just a change in leadership; it signals a renewed commitment to leveraging technology to create value across Rakuten’s expansive ecosystem. By fostering stronger ties between its Indian technology hub and its global operations, Rakuten positions itself to navigate the evolving digital landscape with agility and vision.
Accelerating Digital Innovation
With Shiraishi at the helm, Rakuten India is set to accelerate digital innovation and operational efficiency. His combined experience in technology and business will facilitate deeper integration across the Group’s offerings—ranging from e-commerce platforms to fintech services. This integration is crucial as Rakuten aims to maintain competitive advantage and respond dynamically to the needs of customers worldwide.
Moreover, the focus on cross-border collaboration enhances Rakuten India’s role as a strategic R&D center. It ensures that innovations originating from India align with global market demands, optimizing the impact and scalability of new technologies. Such collaboration also fosters knowledge exchange and leverages diverse expertise within Rakuten’s global workforce.
In conclusion, Rakuten India’s leadership change presents a compelling narrative of growth, innovation, and strategic focus. The transition from Gopinath to Shiraishi reflects continuity in vision coupled with fresh leadership energy. Rakuten Group has a serious commitment to digital transformation. This move paves the way for sustained growth, enhanced customer value, and technological excellence on a global scale.
