Rakuten is seeking a Backend Engineer to develop agent-based AI products within its AI Lab. The role is expected to involve designing, building, testing, and operating reliable backend services, APIs, and platform components that support intelligent agents and AI-powered user experiences. Candidates should have strong experience with backend development, cloud technologies, databases, distributed systems, and software engineering practices. Experience with Python, Java, Go, machine learning platforms, large language models, or AI-agent frameworks would be valuable. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a research-oriented environment, translating emerging AI technologies into practical services, collaborating with international teams, and maintaining high standards for scalability, security, performance, and code quality.
Rakuten Group, Inc. is a major Japanese technology and internet company headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1997, it operates a broad ecosystem spanning e-commerce, fintech, digital content, travel, communications, online advertising, and professional sports. Its membership and loyalty platform connects many of these services, allowing customers to earn and use Rakuten Points across the ecosystem. Rakuten Mobile has also expanded the company’s role in telecommunications and network technology. The company employs a multinational workforce and promotes English as a common corporate language in many departments. Rakuten’s AI Lab focuses on research and product development in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and intelligent agents. Employees may work on globally used platforms while collaborating with researchers, engineers, product teams, and business units across Japan and overseas.
Japan offers strong opportunities in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, robotics, gaming, and international business. Tokyo provides the largest concentration of technology employers, while Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Nagoya also have growing startup and corporate sectors. Japanese workplaces value reliability, teamwork, punctuality, and attention to detail, although international companies often use English and have more flexible practices. Lifestyle ranges from highly convenient urban living to quieter regional communities, with excellent public transport, healthcare, food, and safety. Rent and commuting costs are highest in central Tokyo. Most foreign professionals need an appropriate work visa, commonly sponsored by their employer; an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa is typical for software roles. Applicants should prepare education or experience records, a passport, and employment documents. Employers usually assist with visa applications and relocation, but housing, registration, banking, and tax arrangements require careful planning after arrival.
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