Rakuten, the owner of Viber, the most widely used messaging and communication application in Ukraine, today announced the opening of an office in the center of Kyiv.
Rakuten’s three companies – Rakuten Viber, Rakuten Advertising, and Rakuten Rewards – currently have development and marketing teams in Kyiv and Odesa. The new Kyiv office will allow the local team to work together to more effectively develop technology products and services for users around the world, strengthening Ukraine’s reputation as a center of IT innovation.
Rakuten’s plans to open the office come after Rakuten Chairman and CEO Miki Mikitani accompanied Japanese government officials on a diplomatic mission to Ukraine in September 2023. As a representative of Japan’s private sector, Mikitani met with Ukraine’s leaders, including President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation.
Rakuten has consistently supported Ukraine throughout the war and demonstrated its commitment to its people, economy and post-war reconstruction. Among other things, Rakuten has signed a memorandum of partnership with VEON (owner of Kyivstar) to cooperate in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure through Open RANs and digital services. In addition, Rakuten launched the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Emergency Relief Fund through its online donation platform, Rakuten Clutch Special Charity Fund, and held a donation campaign in support of Ukraine that raised more than 1.3 billion yen.
Miki Mikitani has repeatedly demonstrated strong personal support for Ukraine. In February 2022, he donated 1 billion yen (~$8.7 million) in humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian government. Last winter, he supported the donation and delivery of 500 power generators to Ukrainian citizens through the Samurai donation initiative. By Presidential decree, Mr. Mikitani was awarded the National Order of Merit in recognition of his efforts and those of Rakuten Group.
Rakuten’s plans for its presence in Ukraine include additional hiring in the technology sector and the appointment of a regional manager. One of the next steps is expected to be the launch of Rakuten Viber digital wallet service in Ukraine after its successful implementation in several European countries. This service will provide Viber users in Ukraine, where the app is installed on 98% of smartphones, with new financial services, including the ability to send money in and out of the country through secure instant transactions.
