Rakuten to Establish Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory

Tokyo, April 25, 2018 - Rakuten, Inc., a global leader in innovation headquartered in Tokyo, today announced that it will establish the Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory on May 1, 2018, as part of the Rakuten Institute of Technology, the Rakuten Group dedicated research and development organization. The laboratory will collaborate with Genesis Healthcare Co., a company offering genetic analysis and testing, on research into marketing based on genetic data analysis, with the aim of contributing to resolution of social issues such as reducing medical costs and further raising health awareness in Japan.

In recent years, health awareness is on the rise both in medical institutions and among the general public. Genesis Healthcare has been carrying out genetic analysis and research in this field for many years, and as a result of providing its genetic analysis service now holds one of the largest databases of genetic information in Japan. The company also provides “GeneLife” commercial genetic testing kits to the general public, which allow users to learn about potential underlying physical characteristics, future health risks, and more, from their own personal genetic information.

At the same time, Rakuten Institute of Technology has been providing functions and solutions utilizing AI technology to improve the convenience of many of the Rakuten Group services that form the Rakuten Ecosystem. In the marketing field, these solutions allow group companies to better understand customers’ needs and forecast demand according to the season or event based on the vast quantities of data the company holds, and propose optimal services to individual users based on their past purchasing behavior.

Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory will use the vast quantities of analytical data from gene analysis retained by Genesis Healthcare to reassess conventional marketing techniques and conduct research into developing solutions that are better suited to individual users. By making it possible to provide individual users with services that are optimally suited to them, along with health management advice, Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory aims to promote the concept of self-medication, and contribute to reducing medical costs and raising public health awareness. Subject to acquisition of the appropriate consent from the data holder, the data will be carefully handled in accordance with the standards required by the Personal Information Protection Act and other guidelines for handling genetic information outlined by relevant ministries and government agencies.

By utilizing Rakuten Institute of Technology’s latest technologies and Genesis Healthcare’s genetic database, Rakuten is striving to make people’s lives more convenient by offering new and exciting innovative solutions.

Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory
Name: Rakuten Institute of Technology Gene Laboratory
Established: May 1, 2018
Representative: Masaya Mori (while concurrently serving as the Global Head of Rakuten Institute of Technology)
Research areas: Research on the correlation between genetic data and marketing data, research and development into marketing that takes into account genetic tendencies.