Rakuten Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Rakuten has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, operations, and diversity initiatives.

Driven by innovation, Rakuten operates a comprehensive digital ecosystem, unifying over 70 businesses under a single membership ID and loyalty program to deliver unparalleled value to its global user base.

Leadership Roles at Rakuten

  • 代表取締役社長 CEO - Ryugen Shimizu
  • Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - Kentaro Hyakuno
  • President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee - Elise Nolen
  • President Office. Biz-Dev - Fumihiro Nakayama
  • President, RakAbility ERG - Nathan Fitch
  • Managing Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer(Chief Marketing & Mobile Officer) - Kenichiro Nakajima
  • Manager and Chief Marketing Officer Office and Marketing Analysis - Kazunori Oyama
  • Vice Group Manager - Sachie Shimomura
  • Ryugen Shimizu - 代表取締役社長 CEO

    Ryugen Shimizu, the 代表取締役社長 CEO at Rakuten, directs the overarching strategy and executive leadership for the global technology conglomerate. Shimizu guides the company's evolution from its origins as an online marketplace into a vast digital ecosystem encompassing over 70 interconnected businesses. This leadership role involves steering the strategic vision across diverse segments, including Internet Services, FinTech, Mobile, Communications, and Digital Content, ensuring cohesive development and integration. Shimizu's focus remains on driving innovation and expanding Rakuten's global reach, serving approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. The executive's mandate includes fostering synergistic growth among Rakuten's various platforms, such as its flagship e-commerce site Rakuten Ichiba and its comprehensive FinTech services. Ryugen Shimizu ensures the company's continued expansion and market leadership through decisive strategic planning and operational oversight.

    Kentaro Hyakuno - Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

    Kentaro Hyakuno, the Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Rakuten, manages the operational execution and efficiency across the company's vast global conglomerate. Hyakuno oversees the day-to-day operations of Rakuten's diverse business segments, including Internet Services, FinTech, Mobile, and Digital Content, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. This executive's role involves streamlining processes and enhancing operational capabilities to support the company's mission of delivering a comprehensive digital ecosystem to approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. Kentaro Hyakuno focuses on optimizing resource allocation and driving operational excellence to support Rakuten's strategic growth objectives. The executive's oversight extends to ensuring the smooth functioning of critical platforms like Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Bank, contributing directly to the company's market leadership. Hyakuno's operational leadership is fundamental to the sustained success and expansion of Rakuten's interconnected businesses.
    Kentaro Hyakuno

    Elise Nolen - President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee

    Elise Nolen, the President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Rakuten, champions initiatives that foster an inclusive and equitable workplace environment across the global technology conglomerate. Nolen leads efforts to promote diversity in all its forms within the company's workforce, ensuring that all employees feel valued and have equal opportunities for growth and development. This leadership position involves developing and implementing programs that support a wide range of employee backgrounds and perspectives, aligning with Rakuten's commitment to innovation and its global reach. Elise Nolen works to embed diversity and inclusion principles into the company's culture and operational practices, contributing to a more dynamic and representative organizational structure. The executive's focus is on creating an environment where diverse talent can thrive, enhancing collaboration and driving business success. Nolen's dedication to inclusion strengthens Rakuten's social responsibility and its ability to attract and retain top talent worldwide.

    Fumihiro Nakayama - President Office. Biz-Dev

    Fumihiro Nakayama, the President Office. Biz-Dev at Rakuten, drives business development initiatives and strategic partnerships for the global technology conglomerate. Nakayama focuses on identifying and cultivating new growth opportunities across Rakuten's diverse portfolio of over 70 businesses, including its e-commerce, FinTech, and mobile segments. This role involves exploring innovative ventures and strengthening existing business relationships to expand Rakuten's market presence and enhance its comprehensive digital ecosystem. Fumihiro Nakayama plays a key part in forging strategic alliances that contribute to the company's ongoing expansion and its mission to serve approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. The executive's efforts are crucial for integrating new technologies and services into Rakuten's unified platform, ensuring continued innovation and competitive advantage. Nakayama's business development expertise is vital for Rakuten's sustained growth and global impact.
    Fumihiro Nakayama

    Nathan Fitch - President, RakAbility ERG

    Nathan Fitch, the President, RakAbility ERG at Rakuten, leads initiatives focused on supporting employees with disabilities and promoting accessibility within the global technology conglomerate. Fitch champions the creation of an inclusive environment where all employees, including those with disabilities, can contribute fully and achieve their professional goals. This role involves advocating for accessible technologies, workplace accommodations, and awareness programs across Rakuten's diverse business operations. Nathan Fitch works to ensure that Rakuten's commitment to innovation and its expansive digital ecosystem is accessible to everyone, aligning with the company's mission to serve approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. The executive's efforts are instrumental in fostering a culture of understanding and support, enhancing employee well-being and engagement. Fitch's leadership of the RakAbility ERG is critical for advancing disability inclusion and ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.
    Nathan Fitch

    Kenichiro Nakajima - Managing Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer(Chief Marketing & Mobile Officer)

    Kenichiro Nakajima, the Managing Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer(Chief Marketing & Mobile Officer) at Rakuten, spearheads the integrated marketing and mobile network strategies for the global technology conglomerate. Nakajima oversees the development and execution of comprehensive marketing campaigns that promote Rakuten's diverse portfolio of over 70 businesses, including its e-commerce platforms, FinTech services, and the Rakuten Mobile network. This executive's responsibilities extend to driving customer acquisition and engagement across the company's expansive digital ecosystem, which serves approximately 1.9 billion members globally. Kenichiro Nakajima ensures brand consistency and market penetration by aligning marketing efforts with the company's innovative Rakuten Super Points loyalty program. The role involves close collaboration with the mobile division to enhance service offerings and subscriber growth, leveraging cutting-edge technology for the world's first fully virtualized cloud-native mobile network. Nakajima's leadership is critical for maintaining Rakuten's competitive edge in dynamic markets.
    Kenichiro Nakajima

    Kazunori Oyama - Manager and Chief Marketing Officer Office and Marketing Analysis

    Kazunori Oyama, the Manager and Chief Marketing Officer Office and Marketing Analysis at Rakuten, contributes to the strategic marketing initiatives and data-driven insights for the global technology conglomerate. Oyama's role involves analyzing market trends and campaign performance to inform marketing strategies across Rakuten's diverse business segments. This position supports the Chief Marketing Officer in developing targeted campaigns that enhance customer engagement and brand visibility for the company's extensive digital ecosystem. Kazunori Oyama focuses on leveraging marketing analytics to optimize promotional efforts and drive growth for platforms such as Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Mobile. The executive's work is integral to understanding customer behavior and refining marketing approaches to reach Rakuten's approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. Oyama's analytical contributions are vital for the continuous improvement of Rakuten's marketing effectiveness and overall business objectives.

    Sachie Shimomura - Vice Group Manager

    Sachie Shimomura, the Vice Group Manager at Rakuten, contributes to the operational management and team leadership within the global technology conglomerate. Shimomura supports group management functions, overseeing specific teams and operational tasks that contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of Rakuten's diverse business segments. This role involves ensuring that departmental objectives align with the company's broader strategic goals, facilitating the smooth operation of services that reach approximately 1.9 billion members worldwide. Sachie Shimomura plays a part in coordinating activities and managing resources to support the company's continuous innovation and expansion across its Internet Services, FinTech, and Mobile platforms. The executive's focus on operational excellence and team coordination is vital for maintaining the high standards expected within Rakuten's comprehensive digital ecosystem. Shimomura's contributions are essential for the day-to-day success of the teams managed.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Rakuten Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Rakuten?
    Rakuten is led by Ryugen Shimizu (代表取締役社長 CEO), along with executives such as Kentaro Hyakuno (Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer) and Elise Nolen (President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee).
    Who is part of Rakuten’s executive team?
    The executive team of Rakuten includes leaders such as Ryugen Shimizu (代表取締役社長 CEO), Kentaro Hyakuno (Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer), Elise Nolen (President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Rakuten have?
    Rakuten has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Rakuten’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Rakuten includes roles such as 代表取締役社長 CEO, Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, President, Rakuten Employee Diversity & Inclusion Committee, President Office. Biz-Dev, President, RakAbility ERG.