Tom / Producer

Career Steps

1st Year

Responsible for the planning and operation of terminals managed in the “Rakuten Edy” business domain. As a producer, I became involved in the more upstream processes of development.
2nd Year

Responsible for the system planning of “Rakuten Edy” products. My main tasks included assigning members to projects and managing their progress.
Present

Also engaged in system planning for “Rakuten Edy” and “Rakuten Cash” products. Expanding my business knowledge through collaboration with various departments.

Profile

In my previous job, I was responsible for design, development, and testing as an application engineer, and joined Rakuten Group in 2017. Since then, I have been involved in operations as a producer. As a father of one, I actively participate in childcare, achieving a balance between work and family. I founded a trading card game club within the Rakuten Group, my hobby, and enjoy playing games with about 20 members.

Current Role

The mission of my team is to consider new features related to “Rakuten Edy” and “Rakuten Cash”, which serve as currency within Rakuten Group services, from the system development side. To implement what the “Product Division”, which handles product planning, has planned into system development, we concretize each step while confirming feasibility with departments involved in information security, legal, accounting, and others. In other words, the team's responsibility covers the business requirements definition. About 10 members are constantly working on 2-3 projects in parallel, and we also make proposals and adjustments to lead them to success.
My position is that of a producer. My main task is managing members, such as overseeing multiple ongoing projects and balancing development lines. I advise and respond to consultations, supporting members, and sometimes step in to help projects that are short-staffed.

Why I Chose Rakuten Payment

In my previous job, I was involved in customer system development as an application engineer, but my thoughts and opinions were rarely reflected in the system specifications. I wondered if transferring to a company with its own products would allow my opinions to be reflected and enable more product-focused development. I thought such an environment might suit me. That was the reason I decided to change jobs.
I chose Rakuten because, in addition to having its own products, I was attracted to the opportunity to develop products in the cashless domain, which is expected to grow further. The large scale and stability of the company were also decisive factors. After joining, as a producer, I have been able to be involved in more upstream processes than in my previous job. Through collaboration with various departments, I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding of management and product strategies and developed a business perspective.

Joy & Appeal of Working at Rakuten Payment

Cashless payment services support the foundation of daily economic activity, “payment,” and it is crucial to ensure the stable operation of systems. Especially during system transfers and service revisions, I am mindful of proceeding in a way that does not disadvantage users.
The Rakuten Group offers a diverse lineup of services, and the scope of how “Rakuten Edy” and “Rakuten Cash” can contribute, using “payment” as a hook, is expanding daily. Being involved in new product development and witnessing its growth firsthand is a great source of satisfaction. I sometimes encounter users using the services I was involved with in town, and that also leads to a sense of accomplishment.
Furthermore, the ability to collaborate with various services is unique to the Rakuten Group! There are many projects collaborating with group companies, providing abundant opportunities to gain insight into the business strategies of the collaborating parties. I also find it interesting to work while gaining new knowledge.

Future Career and Goals

As Japan's cashless ratio increases, there is a need to strengthen the foundation for using secure value, while complying with rules such as guidelines set by the Financial Services Agency. I aim to release functions that users can use safely and conveniently, and to enhance customer satisfaction.
A characteristic of Rakuten Payment is the wide scope of individual discretion. Thinking for oneself, taking action oneself, and achieving results. I can focus on my work without stress in such an environment, and I want my team members to enjoy this environment as well. My goal is also to motivate the team with advice tailored to each person's personality and motivation. Personally, my goal is to shift towards thinking about products. The career I envisioned before changing jobs was “I want to manage products in the future.” I would be happy if I could challenge myself with tasks that involve product thinking from a business perspective and achieve the career I envisioned.

Message to Candidates

One of the reasons I joined Rakuten was that English is the official language. I wasn't good at English, so I thought I could grow in this environment. In fact, about half of the members in the System Division are foreign nationals, but I've become able to communicate smoothly. My TOEIC score, which was around 300 before joining, has increased to 800 after joining!
The benefits include a large degree of individual discretion and flexible working styles that accommodate life stages. Since I pick up my 1-year-old child, I sometimes use shift work or the flexible work time system. I practice a work style where I do a little work after bathing and putting my child to bed. I think it's an environment where I can balance family and work well.