An event, "Taiwan Rakuten Group Day", where various services of the Rakuten Group in Taiwan come together, was held on July 21 in conjunction with a Rakuten Monkeys game.The location is the home ground of the same team, Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium.The long lines at each booth, the fan event held on a special stage featuring the Rakuten Girls as cheerleaders, and the appearance of a giant Okaimono Panda inside the stadium!Let's look back on a day that had a stronger festival atmosphere than usual.

Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium, located about 40 minutes by train from downtown Taipei.On July 21st, the weather is clear with occasional clouds.The humid air unique to Taiwan is also comfortable, thanks to the occasional breeze.The card for tonight is Rakuten Monkeys versus the Uni-Lions.In addition to it being a home game for the Monkeys, it was also billed as “Taiwan Rakuten Group Day,” so many of the spectators were wearing crimson red merchandise.

“Taiwan Rakuten Group Day” is, as the name suggests, an important day for the Rakuten Group in Taiwan to allow people to understand their various activities in a multifaceted and comprehensive way.Various services such as Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Bank, and others were being promoted to Rakuten Monkeys fans from booths set up within the stadium.

“We, the Rakuten Group, are offering various services in Taiwan, including Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Card, and Rakuten Bank.”I hope that each business that forms this ‘Rakuten Ecosystem’ will strengthen its bonds by leveraging the power of sports such as the Rakuten Monkeys, players, and Rakuten Girls.”The CEO of Rakuten Monkeys, Yoshinori Kawada, said this in a press conference held before the game.

“Rakuten Ecosystem”. That is born when each individual business interacts with each other.Indeed, how did you purchase tickets and merchandise online for this day’s Monkeys’ game?Why was it possible to enter just by holding up a smartphone at the entrance?How did you pay for the drink you’re holding in the spectator seats?And, how is the plastic cup that the drink was poured into reused?

It was so commonplace and mundane that I never really paid attention to it.However, this is precisely what can be called an ecosystem.The “Taiwan Rakuten Group Day” might have provided the opportunity to think that way.While being thrilled by the dramatic game that ended with a comeback victory in the bottom of the ninth, I was pondering over such things.

The stadium is bustling with fans moving back and forth between each booth.

An opportunity for them to get a sense of various services after receiving an explanation.

(Left) The fan event where Rakuten Girls also made an appearance.(Right) Okaimono Panda Merchandise.

A giant Okaimono Panda has appeared!To a popular photo spot.

Rakuten Girls were very active this day too!The pre-game ceremony was also exciting.

Staff from Rakuten Group, who work in Taiwan and other parts of Asia, are gathering.

TEXT: Yohsuke Watanabe(IN FOCUS)