This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining backend services for Rakuten Ichiba, Japan’s large online marketplace. Candidates are expected to have several years of backend development experience, strong programming skills, and practical knowledge of databases, APIs, system architecture, testing, and performance improvement. Experience with Java, Spring, distributed systems, cloud platforms, or large-scale e-commerce services is likely to be valuable. The successful candidate should be able to take ownership of technical projects, collaborate with product managers and engineers, improve reliability and scalability, and contribute to design and code reviews. Clear communication, problem-solving ability, and comfort working in an international team are also important.
Rakuten Group is a major Japanese technology and internet company headquartered in Tokyo. Founded in 1997, it operates a broad ecosystem covering e-commerce, online travel, digital content, fintech, mobile communications, advertising, and professional sports. Rakuten Ichiba is its flagship marketplace, connecting consumers with merchants across Japan and supporting a large volume of online transactions. The company is known for its membership ecosystem, which links services through Rakuten Points and a common customer platform. Rakuten employs people from many nationalities and uses English extensively in numerous corporate and engineering teams, although Japanese can be important for certain business interactions. Employees typically work in a fast-moving environment where software scalability, customer experience, data, and innovation are major priorities.
Japan offers strong opportunities for software engineers, especially in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Demand is steady in e-commerce, fintech, cloud computing, gaming, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology. Tokyo provides the widest range of international jobs but has high rents and busy commuting. Japan is known for safety, reliable public transport, excellent food, seasonal festivals, and a culture that values punctuality, teamwork, and attention to detail. Workplaces vary, so candidates should clarify language expectations, overtime practices, and remote-work policies. English-speaking roles exist, particularly at global technology companies, while Japanese improves career options and daily life. Professionals usually need an employer-sponsored work visa, commonly the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status. Employers often support visa applications and relocation, but applicants should budget for housing deposits, moving costs, health insurance, and initial living expenses.
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