Early Life and Education
Hiroshi Mikitani was born in Kobe, Japan, on March 11, 1965. His family had a strong academic background. Mikitani graduated from Hitotsubashi University with a degree in commerce in 1988. He then worked in investment banking. Mikitani furthered his education by earning an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1993.
Rise to Success
Mikitani founded Rakuten, initially named MDM, Inc., in February 1997. The online marketplace Rakuten Ichiba was launched in May 1997. The company started with six employees and 13 merchants. Mikitani envisioned an online marketplace that would empower small businesses, offering them control over their storefronts and customer interactions. The company went public on the JASDAQ in 2000. By focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, Rakuten has grown to become a global leader in internet services.
Key Business Strategies
Mikitani's business strategy has been centered on creating a robust ecosystem of services. Rakuten expanded its offerings to include financial services, digital content, and communications. A significant move was the Englishnization policy in 2010, making English the official internal language to support global expansion. Rakuten has also made several acquisitions and partnerships to enhance its market presence, including sports teams and international companies.
Philanthropy
Mikitani has also shown commitment to philanthropy, donating ¥1 billion (approximately $8.7 million) to Ukraine in 2022 during the Russian invasion.
