Tsubasa Shiraishi takes over as CEO of Rakuten India

Rakuten Group, Inc. has announced a transition of leadership at Rakuten India Enterprise Private Limited. Tsubasa Shiraishi, currently Vice Chairman of Rakuten India and General Manager of Rakuten Group’s IT Strategy Department, has been appointed CEO of Rakuten India, effective August 5, 2025.

Shiraishi brings nearly two decades of international leadership experience, and his appointment to the helm of Rakuten’s key technology hub reflects the Group’s deep commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration and unlocking new value within the Rakuten Ecosystem.

In his five years as Vice Chairman, Shiraishi has played a pivotal role in advancing Rakuten’s innovation agenda at Rakuten India, the Group’s strategic R&D and technology center located in Bengaluru. Since its founding in 2014, Rakuten India has grown into a vital hub for the Group’s global technology development, housing almost 2,000 professionals who build products and support businesses across e-commerce, fintech, ecosystem platforms and services. With a strong background in both technology and business, Shiraishi is uniquely positioned to leverage his experience and further integrate Rakuten India with the broader Rakuten Group’s digital transformation efforts.

In his new role, Shiraishi will focus on accelerating innovation, enhancing operational agility and deepening strategic collaboration between Rakuten India and key Rakuten markets. His leadership is expected to drive the next phase of growth and unlock new value for customers, partners and stakeholders worldwide.

Sunil Gopinath, who has served as CEO of Rakuten India since 2017, has decided to pursue other opportunities after a transformative tenure at Rakuten. During his leadership, Rakuten India evolved into a vital product and technology hub for the Rakuten Group, driving strong impact in commerce and fintech, AI, cloud and observability.

Reflecting on the leadership transition to Shiraishi, Rakuten India’s new CEO, Gopinath shared, “Tsubasa Shiraishi brings a deep understanding of our technological strengths and strategic priorities. For over five years, he has worked closely with the India leadership team, offering clear direction and helping us scale our impact across the Rakuten Ecosystem. His sharp strategic thinking, superb rapport and deep respect for our teams make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead Rakuten India into its next phase of innovation."

Akihito Kurozumi, Rakuten Group CIO & CTO and Rakuten India Chairman, commented, “As we enter this new chapter for Rakuten India, I am delighted to welcome Tsubasa Shiraishi as CEO. Shiraishi brings a deep understanding of our Group strategy and a proven track record of building cross-border business synergies to the position. I am confident that under his leadership, Rakuten

India will deepen its ties with the Rakuten Ecosystem and continue its unparalleled growth as a vital part of our global vision. On behalf of the Rakuten Group, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Sunil for his visionary leadership and lasting contributions. During his tenure, Rakuten India evolved into a key innovation engine for the Group, driving advancements across AI, e-commerce, fintech and more.”

Tsubasa Shiraishi, CEO of Rakuten India, said, “It is a great honor to take on the role of CEO at this pivotal moment. I am excited to lead Rakuten India into its next phase of growth while working closely with our global teams and partners. Over the years I have been greatly impressed by the Rakuten India team’s capability and contributions to the wider Rakuten Group. Together, we will strengthen our strategic alignment with the Group and unlock new opportunities that benefit our customers worldwide.”