Rakuten Group operates online shopping, financial services and mobile communications. Its business began with the Rakuten Ichiba internet marketplace.
The claim window has closedApplications for holders on the 31 December 2025 register closed on 15 May 2026. Existing participants can use their awarded service, but a new share purchase cannot qualify for that cycle. Rakuten announced that offer on 12 December 2025. It has not announced the next cycle’s terms.
What you get
The programme for holders on the 31 December 2025 register provides six months of Rakuten Mobile voice service and 30GB of data a month in Japan, with no monthly plan fee. Holders who also met the June 2026 register test receive another six months on the same terms. The offer uses a special shareholder SIM, with fewer features than the ordinary retail plan.
The extra six months are conditional
Rakuten checks that the same shareholder number held at least 100 shares on both the December 2025 and June 2026 registers. A changed shareholder number fails the continuation test, including when shares were sold and later bought back.
Domestic and overseas data differ
The plan includes 30GB a month in Japan and 2GB a month when roaming in eligible overseas countries and regions. After the relevant allowance is used, the maximum speed falls to 200kbps domestically and 128kbps internationally. Rakuten may also manage speeds for fair service use.
What it takes
You needed at least 100 Rakuten Group ordinary shares listed in Tokyo (4755) on 31 December 2025.
Minimum holding period: The initial six months used a single register date. The extension required the same shareholder number at the following June check.
Rakuten membership, completed identity verification and a compatible device. SIM activation must take place in Japan.
Before buyingA perk is a minor benefit of owning a share, not a reason to buy one. Share prices fall as well as rise, and dealing costs, spreads and tax can exceed a perk’s value. Read about the risks.
Holding through a broker
Shares must be registered in your own name.
Rakuten Group checks its shareholder register. Its published terms do not confirm an overseas pooled-nominee route. Ask your broker whether your holding reaches that register and whether it delivers the benefit documents; we have not tested a broker route.
Rakuten Group does not say whether overseas shareholders can claim.
Other conditions
- Who else can use it
- The registered shareholder only; corporate holders use the applicant named in the submitted paperwork.
Previous claim process
The application required the ID and password mailed to the address on the December 2025 shareholder register, plus identity verification.
- 1. Use the mailed credentialsEligible holders received the 29th-programme website credentials in the mailing sent on 11 March 2026. Credentials from the previous programme could not be reused.
- 2. Apply and verify identity within the windowHolders applied on the dedicated website with a Rakuten account. A smartphone and My Number card allowed online identity verification; alternative procedures were available.
- 3. Activate the SIM in JapanApproved participants need a compatible device. Use Rakuten Link Office for eligible free domestic calls and SMS; the ordinary Rakuten Link app is not supported by the shareholder SIM.
Exclusions and limits
Excluded: Extra points under Rakuten’s Super Point Up (SPU) programme that require a Rakuten Saikyo Plan subscription; The ordinary Rakuten Link app, my Rakuten Mobile and my Rakuten Mobile Office; Data top-ups and plan changes; Transferring, selling or exchanging the shareholder SIM for cash.
Usage limits: One line per shareholder, regardless of share count.
Dates
- Qualifying ownership date
- Issuer’s recommended date
- Claim by
Applications ran from 11 March to 15 May 2026, closing at 16:59 Japan time. Postal identity verification closed in June 2026.- Benefit issued
- New participants’ service start date was 1 August 2026. Participants continuing from the 28th programme start the new period the day after their previous benefit period ends.
- Expiry
- Service runs for six months from the service start date, whether or not the SIM is activated. For new participants who did not pass the continuation test, it ends on 31 January 2027; those who passed get six more months, a year in total. Participants continuing from the previous programme count from the day after their previous period ends. The line cancels automatically at the end.
Practical notes
Use the correct calling app
Free domestic calls and SMS require Rakuten Link Office. Calls through other apps and calls to some numbers, including 0570 and 188, are not free, and Rakuten may bill them later. The shareholder SIM cannot make international calls or send international SMS.
Under-18s need an additional procedure
Under-18 shareholders cannot normally use the plan because it has no filtering service. A parent or legal guardian must request that filtering is unnecessary and complete Rakuten’s specified procedures before an under-18 shareholder can use it.
Company story
Thirteen shops to a mobile network
Rakuten Ichiba opened in May 1997 with six employees, one server and 13 shops. The idea was to let small retailers open an internet shop without needing computer expertise. Rakuten later added travel bookings, books and financial services.
Rakuten Mobile began full commercial service in April 2020. The shareholder plan brings holders into that newer business: Rakuten says it offers the benefit so shareholders can experience its mobile service.
Sources: Rakuten company history ; Rakuten 29th fiscal-year announcement