- Explore a wide range of exhibits showcasing AI content and cutting-edge technology across the Rakuten Ecosystem
- World Cup champion and former Vissel Kobe captain Andrés Iniesta and other new guest speakers announced for the event
July 1, 2025
- Rakuten Group, Inc.
Rakuten AI Optimism Unveils Plans for New Exhibition Area
Tokyo, July 1, 2025 - Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced its plans for a new exhibition area at Rakuten AI Optimism, the group's largest interactive event. This year’s edition of the annual conference has been significantly transformed through the power of AI.
Taking place at Pacifico Yokohama from Wednesday, July 30 to Friday, August 1, 2025, the exhibition area will showcase future experiences driven by AI and other cutting-edge technologies, alongside Rakuten's newest services. See the official website for details.
Rakuten AI Optimism: Exhibition Area
Under the theme of "Discover Rakuten AI," the Rakuten AI booth highlights how Rakuten is revolutionizing everyday life and business with AI. Visitors can explore Rakuten's AI innovations that enhance daily experiences and drive business success, while gaining a deeper understanding of Rakuten AI's technology.
Booth visitors can experience future AI applications, including personalized AI agents that recommend products from the Rakuten Ecosystem based on photos of their expressions and clothing. They can also explore AI tools that flexibly support professionals' daily tasks, tailored to their job type, responsibilities and individual workflows. Visitors will also catch a glimpse of how Rakuten AI is empowering people and society.
Image of Rakuten AI Booth
The exhibition features interactive booths displaying Rakuten's innovative use of AI across a range of services. At Rakuten Mobile's booth, Unlocking Corporate and Consumer Experiences with AI × DX, visitors can interact with an AI avatar for customer service. There will also be a demonstration of Phantas IRIS EDITION, a next-generation AI-equipped commercial cleaning robot*1 and fun attractions like a giant Rakuten Panda gacha machine. These experiences offer a window into the cutting-edge future of mobile for both businesses and consumers.
At the Rakuten Travel booth, visitors can get personalized hotel recommendations from an AI concierge through interactive conversations. Additionally, an AI demo showcases how it supports accommodation providers with tasks such as generating travel plans.
At the Rakuten Securities booth, visitors will experience the future of asset building through an AI avatar that explains NISA and other topics in natural conversation, and will also immerse themselves in Extended Reality (XR) content. At the Rakuten Safety Signage booth, visitors can catch a demo of AI signage solutions, which can be used for both sales promotion and security. Using AI-based facial recognition, the system displays different images depending on the viewer.
Image of Rakuten Safety Signage booth
The Athletic Lab by Rakuten booth offers visitors a glimpse into the future of sports training. Using AI, visitors can analyze their batting and shooting forms, gaining insights into their strengths and comparing their techniques to established players. The booth also features an enhanced game viewing experience, displaying AI-driven predictions and real-time player information on screen. As a takeaway, visitors receive a personalized “syncSPORTS by Rakuten” newspaper, based on their data and activities from the booth.
Image of Athletic Lab by Rakuten booth
Rakuten AI Optimism: Business Conference
In addition to the exhibition highlights, Rakuten also announced updates to the speaker lineup and schedule for its business conference. The event will feature an exclusive global CEO fireside chat between Careem co-founder and CEO Mudassir Sheikha and Rakuten Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani. Furthermore, World Cup champion and former Vissel Kobe captain Andrés Iniesta will participate in a special sports talk session.
To commemorate Andrés Iniesta's participation, Rakuten is launching a campaign today to give away tickets to the Vissel Kobe 30th Anniversary Charity Match on August 2. Thirty pairs (60 people total) will win tickets through an exclusive lucky draw. Attendees who register for the event during the campaign period, enter the campaign through the designated page, and visit the event will be entered into a draw to win tickets to the Vissel Kobe 30th Anniversary Charity Match to be held the day after Rakuten AI Optimism at at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Rakuten is driving "AI-nization" – a term it has coined to describe the AI-driven transformation of its operations and services – with the goal of empowering customers and businesses with AI and making its benefits accessible to everyone.
Now in its sixth year, Rakuten Optimism has evolved into a business event focused on AI, offering new value and insights. The event features a world-class business conference that brings together a wide variety of industry leaders from Japan and around the world, alongside an exhibition area showcasing innovative technology solutions, including AI, designed to accelerate business growth*2. Please note that all transactions at the venue will be cashless*3.
Rakuten is committed to transforming society and enriching lives by challenging conventional thinking. Rakuten AI Optimism explores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies, providing a space for individuals to unlock new perspectives and encounter innovative experiences.
Notes:
*1 Phantas and its logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gausium.
*2 Advance registration (free of charge) is required to attend the business conference. Please see the Rakuten AI Optimism official site for further registration details.
*3 Payments only available through Rakuten Pay, Rakuten Edy, Suica and other transportation e-money, Rakuten Card, Mastercard, American Express, Visa and JCB-branded credit cards, Rakuten Bank Debit Card (JCB and Visa) and branded debit cards. Suica is a registered trademark of the East Japan Railway Company.
Vissel Kobe 30th Anniversary Charity Match Ticket Giveaway Campaign Overview
Official site: https://optimism.rakuten.co.jp/2025/campaign/legends-match/
Overview: A campaign where participants who register for the event, enter the campaign through the designated page, and visit the event will be entered into a lottery to win tickets for two to the Vissel Kobe 30th Anniversary Charity Match held at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
How to participate:
- Register for Rakuten AI Optimism and enter the campaign via My Page on the Rakuten AI Optimism official site.
- Visit Rakuten AI Optimism during the event period.
Winner announcement:
- Lucky draw winners will be notified via email within one week of the campaign's conclusion. The winning notification will be sent to the email address registered to their Rakuten member account.
How to claim the ticket:
- To claim the ticket, reply to the winning notification email and present the winning email to staff at the Special Offer Exchange Counter located within the Rakuten AI Optimism venue.
Please refer to the campaign website for further details.
Registration and entry period: 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025
Event Overview
Event name: Rakuten AI Optimism
Dates: Wednesday, July 30 – Friday, August 1, 2025
Venue: Pacifico Yokohama, Exhibition Halls A, B, C, D (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012, Japan)
Access: https://www.pacifico.co.jp/english/access
Admission: Free (*Pre-registration required)
Hosted by: Rakuten Group
Official site: https://optimism.rakuten.co.jp/en
Registration URL: https://optimism.rakuten.co.jp/2025/registration/
Press release: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2025/0602_01.html
*Speaker and content information is accurate as of the time of release and is subject to change. All company names, product names and service names published in this press release are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.