Japanese internet conglomerate Rakuten Group has announced the appointment of Tsubasa Shiraishi as the new Chief Executive Officer of its India operations, effective August 5, 2025. Shiraishi succeeds Sunil Gopinath, who has led Rakuten India since 2017 and is stepping down to pursue new opportunities
Leadership Transition at Rakuten India
Rakuten Group confirmed that Tsubasa Shiraishi, currently Vice Chairman of Rakuten India and General Manager of the IT Strategy Department at Rakuten Group, will take on the CEO role.
Shiraishi brings nearly two decades of international experience, having been instrumental in advancing Rakuten’s innovation agenda in India over the past five years.
Under Sunil Gopinath’s leadership, Rakuten India significantly expanded its strategic importance within the Rakuten Group. Highlights of his tenure include:
Shiraishi brings nearly two decades of international experience, having been instrumental in advancing Rakuten’s innovation agenda in India over the past five years.
Under Sunil Gopinath’s leadership, Rakuten India significantly expanded its strategic importance within the Rakuten Group. Highlights of his tenure include:
- Growth in cloud, observability, and platform technologies
- Expansion of India’s role as a critical hub in the Group’s global operations
- Strengthening the team to nearly 2,000 professionals
Rakuten India was founded in 2014 and now supports Rakuten Group’s e-commerce, fintech, AI, and ecosystem services globally.
Strategic Priorities for the New CEO
As CEO, Tsubasa Shiraishi is tasked with:
- Accelerating innovation across technology verticals
- Improving operational agility to serve global business needs
- Strengthening strategic alignment with Rakuten’s worldwide markets
Shiraishi expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, stating:
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility and look forward to unlocking new opportunities that benefit our customers worldwide.”
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility and look forward to unlocking new opportunities that benefit our customers worldwide.”
Rakuten Group’s Global Vision and India’s Role
Akihito Kurozumi, Rakuten Group CIO and CTO, who also chairs Rakuten India, welcomed the leadership transition:
“I am confident that under Shiraishi’s leadership, Rakuten India will deepen its ties with the Rakuten Ecosystem and continue its unparalleled growth.”
Rakuten’s India GCC (Global Capability Center) manages nearly half of the Group’s 70 global businesses, with offices in multiple cities, including two Bengaluru centres.
In May, Rakuten announced plans to invest over $100 million to expand its India workforce, part of a strategy to:
“I am confident that under Shiraishi’s leadership, Rakuten India will deepen its ties with the Rakuten Ecosystem and continue its unparalleled growth.”
Rakuten’s India GCC (Global Capability Center) manages nearly half of the Group’s 70 global businesses, with offices in multiple cities, including two Bengaluru centres.
In May, Rakuten announced plans to invest over $100 million to expand its India workforce, part of a strategy to:
- Modernise infrastructure
- Deepen focus on AI
- Support global scaling of operations
Currently, 90% of Rakuten’s India workforce is in technology roles, underscoring its position as a critical technology hub for the Group.
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