Legal Team Members - Corporate Legal Section, Legal Department, Group Compliance Supervisory Department

Job Description:
Business Overview
Rakuten Group provides more than 70 services across a wide range of fields both domestically and internationally, including internet services such as e-commerce, travel, and digital content; fintech (financial) services such as credit cards, banking, securities, electronic money, and smartphone app payments; mobile services such as mobile carrier operations; and professional sports. By organically linking these services through a membership system centered on Rakuten members, we have formed a unique “Rakuten Ecosystem” unlike any other.
*Rakuten’s Business in Numbers
https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/services/
Department Overview
The Legal Department provides support for Rakuten Group’s wide range of services-including e-commerce (such as Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Travel), digital content, and entertainment (including the use of AI)-by offering legal consultation and contract management, as well as conducting legal reviews and making proposals regarding the launch of new services, acquisitions, and organizational restructuring. As a partner to the business divisions, we uphold the mission of “Passionately drive Rakuten’s innovation with fairness and accountability.” Guided by a commitment to fairness and accountability in driving the Rakuten Group’s innovation, we constantly pursue the “best solution” for the business with professional pride and curiosity. Through negotiations with overseas business partners and collaboration with diverse members within the Group, there are abundant opportunities to engage with foreign laws and English-language contracts.
Position:
Why We Hire
We are hiring to strengthen our organization in response to business expansion.
As our company transitions from being a user of generative AI to becoming a developer and provider, the demand for handling AI-related projects is increasing. Due to a shortage of legal team members specializing in AI support, we are seeking to hire individuals interested in the AI business. This position involves providing legal support for the development and delivery of ‘Rakuten AI’ and large language models (LLMs), allowing you to play a role in bringing cutting-edge technology to society. As part of the Rakuten Group, with its diverse business portfolio and customer base, you can contribute to creating new value through AI.
You’ll experience the thrill of independently devising and implementing contract terms and response strategies to bring business initiatives to fruition-often while collaborating with global development teams in English-to address challenges for which there are few precedents. This environment allows you to hone your expertise in AI legal affairs and your problem-solving skills to drive the business forward through these challenges.
Position Details
<Business Overview>
As a member of the AI & Data Legal Group within the Corporate Legal Department, you will be responsible for providing legal support related to the in-house development and use of AI, as well as the external provision of AI services, and for promoting AI governance.
You will collaborate with related departments, such as Intellectual Property and Information Security, and communicate with business unit members from diverse backgrounds, including those at overseas locations, to carry out your duties. Taking into account technological advancements and trends in domestic and international laws and regulations, your role will involve not only responding to individual inquiries but also proactively examining and proposing the Company’s response policies and internal rules.
<Main Responsibilities>
Upon joining the company, you will primarily be responsible for the following tasks:
・Contract review and legal consultation regarding the development, use, and external provision of AI
・Researching domestic and international AI-related laws and regulations, and examining and proposing countermeasures based on their impact on business operations
・Supporting the development and implementation of AI governance policies and internal rules in collaboration with relevant departments
You will also have frequent opportunities to participate in discussions with product managers and engineers.
In addition, you may be involved in the following tasks within the Corporate Legal Department:
・M&A and Intra-Group Restructuring: Examining transaction structures, conducting negotiations, drafting and reviewing contracts, and collaborating with external experts
・Corporate Governance and Commercial Law: Providing legal support for the operation of board of directors and shareholders’ meetings at Rakuten Group, Inc. and its group companies; preparing disclosure documents; and providing legal services related to stock options
・Corporate Department Support: Providing legal services to corporate departments such as Human Resources, Labor Relations, General Affairs, Accounting, Finance, and IT.
Work Environment
<Organizational Structure>
・Number of Employees: 7 in the Corporate Legal Department (including 1 in the AI & Data Legal Group)
・Age Range: Primarily in their 20s and 30s
・Ratio of New Graduates to Mid-Career Hires: (1:3)
<Average Overtime Hours>
Approximately 20 hours per month
*May vary depending on caseload and other factors.
<Backgrounds of Mid-Career Hires>
Mid-career hires with diverse backgrounds-including those from law firms and those with in-house legal experience in other industries-are thriving in their roles. Some employees have been promoted to manager positions after joining the company.
The Legal Department fosters an open and transparent environment where members-ranging from young professionals to veterans with diverse backgrounds-engage in flat, candid discussions with one another.
<Examples of Career Paths for Mid-Career Hires>
・One employee gained approximately two years of experience in the Legal Department after joining the company and was subsequently promoted to manager.
・Another employee handled Rakuten Ichiba and Rakuten Travel in the Business Legal Affairs Section before transferring to the Corporate Legal Affairs Section, where they broadened their area of expertise. In addition to their assigned duties, they proactively work on process improvements within the Legal Department, expanding their scope of responsibilities.
Mandatory Qualifications:
・At least 3 years of practical legal experience
・Experience using English in a professional setting (e.g., reviewing English-language contracts, responding to emails)
・A positive attitude toward the fast pace and uncertainty inherent in the early stages of a business launch, along with the motivation to proactively identify challenges and propose and implement solutions
・Ability to communicate smoothly and collaborate effectively with team members from diverse linguistic, cultural, and professional backgrounds
Desired Qualifications:
・Practical experience in industries highly relevant to our business or AI development, such as the systems integration (SI) or internet sectors
・Legal experience related to AI or system development
・Work experience involving oral communication, such as meetings and discussions in English
・English proficiency equivalent to a TOEIC score of 800.
Other Information:
Additional information on Location
Rakuten Crimson House (Tokyo)
Additional information on Secondment
In the future, to allow you to gain a variety of experiences, your responsibilities may change, including a transfer to another legal team.
Additional information on English Qualification
TOEIC score of 800 or higher
Related Pages
・Employee Benefits: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/benefit/
・Employee Conditions: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/information/
・Culture: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/culture/
#corporate #legal #IP #audit #operationdiv
Languages:
English (Overall - 3 - Advanced), Japanese (Overall - 4 - Fluent)