Rakuten Group, Inc. (Head office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Chairman and CEO: Hiroshi Mikitani, hereinafter “the Company”) announces the details of the shareholder benefit program for the 28th fiscal year (for qualified shareholders as of the end of December 2024). The details are as follows:
- Purpose of the shareholder benefits program
The Company offers a benefit program for shareholders for the purpose of showing its gratitude to all its shareholders for their support and aims to provide everyone more opportunities to understand the services of the Rakuten Group.
- Outline of the benefit program for shareholders for the 28th Fiscal Year
1 ) Qualified shareholders
Shareholders who are listed in the shareholders register as of December 31, 2024, and own 100 shares (i.e., 1 share unit) or more are eligible. In addition, in order to be recorded on the shareholders register as of the end of December 2024, due to the system for transferring shares etc., it is necessary to purchase shares by the close of trading on the last day for rights to the benefit program (December 26, 2024).
2) Details of the benefits
Shareholders will receive a one-year free subscription to “Rakuten Mobile” voice and data plan (30 GB / month)1,2,3,4,5,6
"Rakuten Mobile" (Service URL: https://network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/) entered the mobile carrier business with the goal of "Democratizing the Mobile Market," launching full-scale services in April 2020. With Its simple and affordable plans, the "Rakuten Saikyo Plan" and the "Rakuten Saikyo Plan Business", the number of subscribers surpassed 8.12 million7 as of November 2024. The Company continues its efforts to improve network quality and customer experience, including the launch of the “Rakuten Platinum Band" from June 20248. This benefit allows shareholders to experience "Rakuten Mobile" services and deepen their understanding of this key business area. We have decided to offer the above shareholder benefits, continuing from last year, in hopes to provide our shareholders the opportunity to deepen their understanding of and experience first-hand the service of Rakuten Mobile, a service which Rakuten Group has concentrated on.
3) How to use this benefit
In order to use this year’s shareholder benefits program, application is required through the exclusive "Shareholders Benefits Website" during the application period, expected to begin in mid-March 2025. Details regarding registration will be available on the corporate website (https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/investors/stock/preferential.html) in mid-March 2025.
Login credentials (ID and password) for the Rakuten Group Shareholder Benefits website will be mailed to qualified shareholders in mid-March 2025 (scheduled to be enclosed with the 28th Annual Shareholders’ Meeting Notice) 9.
4) Other notes
1. For shareholders who applied for and completed identity verification for the 27th fiscal year shareholder benefits
Shareholders who applied for and completed identity verification for the 27th fiscal year shareholder benefits program will continue using the same phone number provided previously if they apply for the 28th fiscal year benefits, for a term of one year. No new SIM card will be issued. In the event of loss or device replacement where the 27th fiscal year SIM card is unavailable, please contact the dedicated shareholder benefits hotline (refer to the contact information at the end of this document) to request a re-issuance. However, if a shareholder sells their shares in 2024 or undergoes a change in shareholder number during the fiscal year, the application will be treated as new, and a new SIM card will be issued, even if the shareholder previously applied for and completed identity verification for the 27th fiscal year benefits.
2. Identification verification process for applying to the 28th fiscal year shareholder benefits
When applying, shareholders can complete identity verification and all related procedures entirely online using a smartphone and a My Number card. Shareholders who do not possess these items may still complete the process via alternative methods. However, for those wishing to finalize the procedures online, it is recommended to prepare a smartphone and My Number card in advance.
*1 Please note there is a possibility that the benefits may be partially changed.
*2 To use the shareholder benefits, a compatible communication device (that meets the technical standards defined in Chapter 3 of the Radio Act and can roam within Japan) is required. SIM activation must be completed within Japan.
*3 SPU (Super Point Up Program) benefits that require a subscription to "Rakuten Saikyo Plan" are not eligible for this benefit.
*4 For calls, please use the "Rakuten Link Office" app. Domestic calls and domestic SMS are free of charge when using the "Rakuten Link Office" app. However, please note that calls to certain numbers starting with (e.g. 0570), some special numbers (188), international calls, and international SMS, as well as calls and SMS made through apps other than "Rakuten Link Office", are not included in the free call benefits. Charges for such usage may be billed later.
*5 As a special-purpose SIM designed for the Shareholder Benefit Program, we ask for your understanding that not all functionalities are available
*6 Within Rakuten Mobile’s area of coverage, under certain conditions, data transmission speed may be limited for fair service provision purposes. Upon exceeding the allotted data volume, domestic and international transmission speeds will be limited to a maximum of 200 kbps and 128 kbps, respectively. Streaming videos, downloading applications, etc., may take longer when transmission speeds are limited. Transmission speeds are based on the “best effort” principle (maximum throughput rate achieved based on applicable standards) and actual speeds may fluctuate depending on the communication environment and conditions.
*7 The total number of subscriptions includes MNO, MVNE, and MVNO lines, as well as BCP, as of November 10, 2024.
*8 The coverage area for the platinum band is scheduled to gradually expand starting from major urban areas
*9 Notifications will be sent to the addresses registered in the shareholder register as of the end of December 2024. If you have moved or plan to move, please update your address through your securities account provider.
Inquiries Regarding the 28th Fiscal Year Shareholder Benefits
Shareholder Benefits Hotline: 0120-905-937 (9:00 - 17:00, excluding weekends and public holidays)
Inquiries from Shareholders Already Using the 27th Fiscal Year Shareholder Benefits
(For issues such as theft, loss, suspension/restart of SIM usage, or inability to use the SIM)Shareholder Benefits Hotline: 0800-600-0050 (9:00 - 17:00, excluding weekends and public holidays)