Job Description:

Business Overview

Rakuten Group provides more than 70 services across a wide range of fields, both in Japan and internationally, including internet services such as e-commerce, travel, and digital content; fintech services including credit cards, banking, securities, electronic money, and smartphone payment apps; mobile carrier services; and professional sports. By organically connecting these services through a membership centered on Rakuten members, the Group has formed its unique "Rakuten Ecosystem."

*Learn more about Rakuten's businesses in numbers:
https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/careers/services/

Department Overview

Legal Department is responsible for legal support of Rakuten Mobile which is Japanese 4th, new mobile carrier.  Our mission is to resolve various type of legal matters between internal stakeholders, vendors and business partners, etc. around the telecommunication businesses. We engage in the strategic structuring of complex legal frameworks for a wide range of initiatives, from large-scale infrastructure procurement (hundreds of billions of JPY) to new services utilizing advanced technologies. Our team is close to the business, and there are opportunities to collaborate with teams in various countries and regions both internally and externally, allowing you to work globally. We are looking for the person who can be actively working toward many kinds of legal issues speedy with challenge spirit.

Position:

Why We Hire

We are looking for a proactive, self-starting legal professional to handle increasingly complex projects driven by our business expansion. You will work closely with stakeholders and take responsibility for mentoring junior members to strengthen our team’s capabilities.

Our legal team operates in a truly global environment. While we are a Japanese company, we handle a high volume of international procurement projects, supported by a diverse, multicultural team. We foster a collaborative culture where we share knowledge from past cases and support each other’s professional growth. You can work on global projects and sharpen your English skills, all while based in Japan.

Position Details

As a member of the Network Legal Group, you will provide strategic legal support for the construction and maintenance of Rakuten Mobile's network infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead Contract Counsel: Manage complex contract negotiations and drafting (including English-language contracts) with domestic and international suppliers. Key areas include base station installation, network equipment procurement, and software licensing agreements.

Legal Business Partnering:

Engage in new projects from the inception stage. You will provide legal counsel on business model feasibility, conduct risk assessments, and collaborate with business units to architect frameworks that drive business growth.

Dispute Resolution & Risk Management:

Develop legal strategies and solutions to address transactional disputes, litigation, and regulatory matters to ensure seamless business operations.

Organizational Development:

Contribute to the overall growth of the legal department by sharing legal knowledge with business units and streamlining contract processes to enhance operational efficiency.

About the Network Legal Group:
The Network Legal Group operates under the Strategic Business Compliance Department, which supports the Rakuten Group’s core strategic initiatives. We are responsible for providing specialized legal support for infrastructure procurement within the Rakuten Mobile business, ensuring rapid decision-making and strategic alignment.

Work Environment

Legal Department at Rakuten Mobile is structured into the following four specialized groups. This position is within the Network Legal Group.

・Sales & Marketing Legal Group: Provides legal support for domestic sales and marketing initiatives.
・Network Legal Group: Primarily focuses on supporting procurement transactions for mobile network infrastructure and related services, with a strong emphasis on international/cross-border projects.
・Corporate Governance Group: Manages and oversees the operation of key corporate bodies, including the Board of Directors.
・Legal Operations & Development Group: Dedicated to optimizing legal processes and driving digital transformation, including the implementation of AI-driven solutions.

The Legal Department consists of 11 members of the Network Legal Group, 8 members of the S&M Legal Group, 4 members of the Corporate Governance Group, 1 member of the Legal Operation Development Group and 2 assistants under the supervision of the Department Manager, and women and foreign nationals are also active in the department.
The ratio of new graduates to mid-career hires is 50-50. Many of the mid-career members have changed jobs not only from telecommunications-related businesses but also from other fields, so experience in telecommunications-related businesses is not mandatory.

Mandatory Qualifications:

Candidates who meet all of the following requirements
・About 3 years of legal experience (Japanese regulation review) in a company or law firm
・Experience in reviewing English contracts
・Japanese skill (Business level)

Desired Qualifications:

・Bar qualification in Japan or other jurisdictions.
・English skill (Business level)

Other Information:

Additional information on Location

Main office is Rakuten Crimson House, however, Higashi-Shinjuku office is also available to work.

Additional information on Secondment

Upon joining the company, you will also be seconded to the Legal Department of Rakuten Mobile, Inc.

Additional information on English Qualification

TOEIC 800 or more

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

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