Posted by Tokyo, Japan – Bengaluru, India: Japanese technology conglomerate Rakuten Group, Inc. has announced a transition of Tsubasa Shiraishi, currently Vice Chairman of Rakuten India and GM of Rakuten Group’s IT Strategy Department as the new CEO of Rakuten India Enterprise Private Limited.
Tsubasa Shiraishi’s transition to the new role as CEO of Rakuten India, effective August 5, 2025, will succeed current CEO Sunil Gopinath, who has decided to pursue other opportunities after a transformative tenure of eight years at Rakuten.
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.
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 centre located in Bengaluru.
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.
Sunil Gopinath, who has served as CEO of Rakuten India since 2017, has decided to step down and pursue other opportunities. 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.
“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,” Rakuten India CEO Sunil Gopinath shared on the leadership transition to Shiraishi, Rakuten India’s new CEO.
“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,” added Gopinath.
Akihito Kurozumi, Rakuten Group CIO and 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.”
“It is a great honour 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,” said Tsubasa Shiraishi, CEO of Rakuten India.
“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,” added Shiraishi.