"Taiwan Rakuten Group Day," which brings together all the Rakuten Group services operating in Taiwan under one roof, was held on July 21st in collaboration with a Rakuten Monkeys game at the team's home ground, Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium. There were long lines at every booth, a fan event on a special stage featuring the Rakuten Girls cheerleaders, and even a massive Shopping Panda making its appearance inside the stadium. Here's a look back at the festive day.

Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium is a 40-minute train ride from central Taipei. The weather on July 21st was partly cloudy with occasional sunshine, with humidity typical of Taiwan, though a breeze made it pleasant. The special game was a matchup between the Rakuten Monkeys and the Uni-President Lions. With a home game atmosphere layered on top of the special “Taiwan Rakuten Group Day” branding, most of the crowd came decked out in crimson red merchandise.

“Taiwan Rakuten Group Day” is exactly what the name suggests: a key day for the Rakuten Group in Taiwan to showcase their many activities in a multifaceted, integrated way to a broad audience. Booths for Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Bank, and other services were spread throughout the stadium, sharing their offerings with Rakuten Monkeys fans.

“The Rakuten Group runs various services in Taiwan, from Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Card to Rakuten Bank and more. We want the bonds between these businesses, which is what forms our ‘Rakuten Ecosystem,’ to be strengthened through the power of sports. The Rakuten Monkeys, the players, and the Rakuten Girls all make that happen.” That’s how Yoshinori Kawada, CEO of the Rakuten Monkeys, described the vision at a press conference held before the game.

The “Rakuten Ecosystem” is described as each business working together with one another. And indeed, on this day at the Monkeys game, I found myself thinking about it: how did I buy my ticket and merchandise online? How could I get in with just a tap of my phone? How did I pay for my drink in the stands? And how will that plastic cup be reused?

These things had become so everyday and unremarkable that I hadn’t given them much thought. But this really is an ecosystem. And maybe that’s what “Taiwan Rakuten Group Day” was quietly offering ― a chance to start thinking about this ecosystem. I was busy getting caught up in the excitement of a dramatic ninth-inning comeback win, but those thoughts were simmering in the back of my mind.

The stadium was bustling with fans moving back and forth between the various booths.

This serves as an opportunity for them to learn about our services and try them out.

(Left) A fan event featuring the Rakuten Girls on the special stage. (Right) Shopping Panda merchandise.

A giant Shopping Panda became a popular photo spot.

The Rakuten Girls were a hit as always, helping make the pre-game ceremony a lively affair.

Rakuten Group staff from Taiwan and across Asia came together for the occasion.

Text: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)