Tsubasa Shiraishi Appointed CEO of Rakuten India, Replacing Sunil Gopinath

Rakuten Group today announced a key leadership transition at Rakuten India Enterprise. Tsubasa Shiraishi, currently Vice Chairman of Rakuten India and General Manager of Rakuten Group’s IT Strategy Department, has been appointed as the new CEO of Rakuten India, effective August 5, 2025.

Strengthening Global Collaboration and Innovation

With nearly two decades of international leadership experience, Shiraishi’s appointment underscores Rakuten Group’s commitment to enhancing cross-border synergies and unlocking new value across the Rakuten Ecosystem.

As Vice Chairman over the past five years, Shiraishi has played a pivotal role in advancing Rakuten’s innovation agenda at its Bengaluru-based R&D and technology hub. Founded in 2014, Rakuten India has become a vital component of the Group’s global technology footprint, employing close to 2,000 professionals across e-commerce, fintech, ecosystem services and platforms.

With a strong foundation in both technology and business strategy, Shiraishi is expected to further integrate Rakuten India’s operations with the broader digital transformation goals of the Rakuten Group.

Transition from Sunil Gopinath’s Transformative Tenure

Outgoing CEO Sunil Gopinath, who has led Rakuten India since 2017, will step down to pursue new opportunities. Under his leadership, Rakuten India emerged as a key innovation engine, driving advancements in AI, cloud, observability, commerce, and fintech.

Reflecting on the leadership change, Gopinath remarked, “Tsubasa Shiraishi brings a deep understanding of our technological strengths and strategic priorities. His rapport with our teams and sharp strategic thinking make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead Rakuten India into its next phase of innovation."

Akihito Kurozumi, CIO & CTO of Rakuten Group and Chairman of Rakuten India, added, “Shiraishi’s proven track record in building cross-border synergies and deep alignment with our Group strategy will help accelerate Rakuten India’s growth journey. We thank Sunil for his visionary leadership and significant contributions.”

Looking Ahead: Vision for the Future

Accepting the new role, Tsubasa Shiraishi stated, “It is a great honour to lead Rakuten India at this pivotal time. I look forward to working closely with our global teams and partners to strengthen strategic alignment and unlock new opportunities for our customers worldwide.”