Coexisting with COVID-19: Building a safer New Normal

Rakuten Group Initiatives

Stop community spread
We will get through this together!

After months of lockdowns and preventative measures around the world, some countries and regions are beginning to arrive at the starting line of the “new normal.”

At the same time, the number of cases is rising in many countries and regions, reminding us all that we can contribute to slowing the community spread of COVID-19 by being socially responsible.

Wear a mask when you go out. Avoid crowds of people when possible. Pay attention to what’s going on around you when shopping or getting dinner. If you can, work from home. Enjoy digital entertainment at home and eat good food with your family by ordering takeout from your local restaurants.

In order to create a safer tomorrow, we need to rethink our daily habits today. Let’s build the new normal together.

Social distancing and
5 requests

Social distancing 1. Avoid the “3 Cs” (Closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) 2. Avoid nonessential outings 3. Wash your hands and disinfect surfaces thoroughly 4. Wear a mask 5. Ventilate the room regularly

Avoiding outings and social gatherings whenever possible. When you do need to go out, remember to keep an appropriate social distance from people at the grocery store, the hospital waiting room and jobs that require employees to be physically present.

Even asymptomatic people with the best of intentions can spread the virus in their communities. By acting responsibly, you might just be protecting someone from yourself.

A Thank You Message to Frontline Workers Everywhere

Special thank you message to all those who have continued working
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in order to keep society going.

Rakuten Group Initiatives

Last Updated: September 9, 2020

  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020

May 2020

Launched Rakuten Realtime Takeout, a service that enables customers to pre-order and pay for products from restaurants.

  • May 7, 2020
  • Rakuten Realtime Takeout
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Pay unveiled a special site where customers can browse shops providing takeout services.

  • May 14, 2020
  • Rakuten Pay
  • Japan Initiatives

Donated 3,000 ponchos to Miyagi Prefecture.

  • May 15, 2020
  • Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten worked with brand ambassadors Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Andrés Iniesta (Vissel Kobe) and Marie Kondo (KonMari) to inspire fans to find creative ways to stay positive while at home through short, home-made videos shared on social media.

Stephen Curry：Youtube
Andres Iniesta：instagram
Marie Kondo：facebook
  • May 22, 2020
  • Rakuten Sports
  • Global Initiatives

Rakuten STAY launched a nationwide telework support campaign at its facilities in Japan, allowing users to try out its facilities for a fixed price for a limited time.

  • May 2020
  • Vacation STAY
  • Japan Initiatives

Launched a telework support feature site listing accommodation facilities with Wi-Fi, furniture and other amenities necessary for telework.

  • May 2020
  • Vacation STAY
  • Japan Initiatives
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April 2020

Launched a special social distancing initiative.

  • April 3, 2020
  • Rakuten Group
  • Global Initiatives

Rakuten Super Logistics worked with DEFY to donate to Feeding America Foodbanks.

  • April 6, 2020
  • Rakuten Super Logistics (U.S.)
  • Global Initiatives

Rakuten Minshu launched a special page entitled, “Let's job hunt from home! A summary of companies hiring online (for 2021 graduates)."

  • April 10, 2020
  • Rakuten Minshu
  • Japan Initiatives

Launched Rakuten Takeout, a free platform that supports local restaurants by providing takeout services. Rakuten is providing this platform for free to local restaurants until November 1.

  • April 13, 2020
  • Rakuten Takeout
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Clutch Special Charity Fund now accepting donations for COVID-19 crisis response.

  • April 14, 2020
  • Rakuten Clutch Special Charity Fund
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten joined the "For Good Causes" charitable giving platform in the U.K., which unites brands and retailers with over 20,000 charities, enabling Rakuten members to redeem their Rakuten Points in exchange for a donation to charity.

  • April 21, 2020
  • Rakuten (UK)
  • Global Initiatives

Started offering #TravelExperiencceAtHome content.

  • April 30, 2020
  • Rakuten Travel
  • Japan Initiatives

Launched a COVID-19 Resource Center with updates for its retailer and publishing partners based on the company’s data and insights.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Advertising
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Travel started initiatives to enhance reservation functions and expand accommodation plans so that travelers can enjoy their trips with peace of mind.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Travel
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Travel has set up an inquiry form to connect partner hotels which have confirmed they can accept coronavirus patients with light to no symptoms, with local governments that wish to secure medical treatment facilities.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Travel
  • Japan Initiatives

The Rakuten Furusato Nozei (hometown tax payment) service created a special webpage to collect donations to support local governments and businesses in Japan affected by the spread of COVID-19.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Ichiba
  • Japan Initiatives

Launched a site introducing items that enhance time at home, such as luxury gourmet food, interior items and more.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Ichiba
  • Japan Initiatives

Started contactless delivery.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten EXPRESS
  • Japan Initiatives

Emergency initiative related to COVID-19: Support merchants and the food retail industry by eating delicious food from across Japan.

  • April 2020
  • Rakuten Ichiba
  • Japan Initiatives
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March 2020

Rakuten ABCmouse English Learning Academy for Children offered to businesses for free for a limited time

  • March 6, 2020
  • Rakuten Super English
  • Japan Initiatives

Launched the #StayHomeandRead campaign in more than 27 countries in North America, the EU, Asia and more, working with publishers and governments to offer people a wide assortment of books from free to deeply discounted in order to encourage people to stay in. Kobo gave away more than 10 million books worldwide in 30 days.

  • March 11, 2020
  • Rakuten Kobo
  • Global Initiatives

Supported travel facilities by allowing travelers to make payments for domestic travel accommodation services 1 week in advance.

  • March 12, 2020
  • Rakuten Travel
  • Japan Initiatives

Special measures for customers affected by the spread of COVID-19

  • March 13, 2020
  • Rakuten General Insurance
  • Japan Initiatives

Announcement regarding the handling of regular hospital visits due to the spread of COVID-19 (period extension)

  • March 14, 2020
  • Rakuten Pet Insurance
  • Japan Initiatives

Announcement regarding the handling of insurance payments due to COVID-19

  • March 14, 2020
  • Rakuten Life Insurance
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Group shares messages of encouragement from athletes: "Empower Japan" video.

  • March 16, 2020
  • Rakuten
  • Japan Initiatives

Rakuten Viber also created Viber communities for teachers, providing relevant and handy information to teachers looking for conventional educational alternatives to over 206,000 members to date.

  • March 18, 2020
  • Rakuten Viber
  • Global Initiatives

Rakuten TV added over 100 movies to its video streaming platform available to be viewed free of charge in a number of European countries impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown. The platform has also provided high-profile movies through video-on-demand during the theatrical release period. The company also took part in a CSR activity with one of the main hospitals in Barcelona, donating tablets and movies to patients who cannot see their relatives due to COVID-19 medical quarantine.

  • March 19-20, 2020
  • Rakuten TV
  • Global Initiatives

Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Communications announced that they would extend the payment deadline of mobile, internet and electricity service bills for customers struggling to pay on time.

  • March 24, 2020
  • Rakuten Mobile
  • Global Initiatives

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles delivered video content starring their official mascots, Clutch, Clutchina and Switch for children affected by school closings.

  • March 30, 2020
  • Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
  • Japan Initiatives

Ran a campaign in March in support of small businesses and members by giving them more Cash Back when they need it most.

  • March 31, 2020
  • Rakuten Rewards
  • Global Initiatives

Partnered with the World Health Organization to launch a chatbot that offers verified and reliable information about the spread of COVID-19 in multiple languages, currently with over 2.4 million users subscribed.

  • March 2020
  • Rakuten Viber
  • Global Initiatives

Offered to waive service fees and give access to lowest commission rates for retailers impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as held special accelerated training webinars for these new merchants to help them use the platform. The company also give away one Rakuten TV voucher, allowing access to premium movies, for every purchase made on the platform. Launched retailer support platform called PROTECT so that retailers can equip themselves with products such as masks, hydro-alcoholic gels and gloves.

  • March 2020
  • Rakuten (France)
  • Global Initiatives

Offered new merchants a zero-cost subscription fee for the first year for merchants with offline stores or for those impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown.

  • March to April, 2020
  • Rakuten (Germany)
  • Global Initiatives
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