Anthony
Joined Rakuten Group in 2016, mid-career . After leaving the company in 2019, joined again in January 2021.
Department…Commerce &Marketing Company
EC Marketplace DevelopmentDepartment (ECMPD)
Position…Project Manager
Hometown…Hong KongHobbies…Snowboarding, camping, DIY
Anthony, from Hong Kong, is the project manager for the Rakuten Ichiba service in the EC Marketplace Development Department (ECMPD). He also holds the position of Senior Manager.
We interviewed Anthony, an experienced member of the team, to get an inside look at ECMPD's atmosphere and the rewarding aspects of being a project manager there.
INDEX
✔Developing through close communication with diverse stakeholders
✔Global collaboration: Working as “One Team” with mutual respect
Developing through close communication with diverse stakeholders
――Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing your career until joining the Rakuten Group?
Hello, everyone. I’m Anthony, working as the project manager for the EC Marketplace Development Department (ECMPD). I’m from Hong Kong, and it’s been 10 years since I came to Japan. My hobbies are snowboarding and camping, and I recently enjoy snowboarding with my elementary school-aged child. I also like making things and have even assembled a 3D printer myself.
I studied software engineering at a university in Canada and obtained an MBA in 2011. I started as an engineer in mobile phone R&D, then changed career paths to project management in 2008.
I joined the Rakuten Group in 2016. Then, I was responsible for the requirement management and project management of the Rakuten Membership system as a producer. In 2019, I was internally transferred to the department responsible for the Rakuten Ichiba service and worked as a project manager on several large-scale projects. After that, I left the Rakuten Group once and then rejoined in 2021.
――Anthony, you’re the senior manager of the Project Management Section within the EC Marketplace Development Department (ECMPD), responsible for the system development of Rakuten Ichiba.
Can you tell us what you do in your work?
As the PMO (Project Management Office) within the Rakuten Ichiba tech department, we support project managers from a wide range of perspectives. This includes standardizing system development projects, developing information-sharing infrastructure, visualizing progress, and facilitating problem-solving. Particularly in large-scale projects, we pay attention to even the smallest details that project managers alone can't cover, proactively identifying potential risks, and implementing countermeasures to contribute to project success.
In addition to project management responsibilities, my role as a senior manager also involves enhancing the project management competency of our organization, then spreading that know-how to other departments.
――Can you walk us through your work cycle?
The work cycle of a project manager is the same as the cycle of software development. We start by working closely with the requirement requester and then planning the project based on the major constraints. Then, we work with the engineers and QA to start development.
During the project execution, the project manager manages issues and risks that could burden the project release. After releasing the project, we conduct a review to identify lessons learned before closing the project. This is a critical process to ensure that we don’t make the same mistakes in future projects.
――What kind of people do you work with?
My role involves working with a diverse range of stakeholders: product managers, engineers, QA, executives, and business requirement requesters. Building strong relationships and trust with all stakeholders is therefore essential for project managers.
As a project manager, I work closely with engineers to ensure the project is on track. I also communicate regularly with managers and other stakeholders to align the overall project status.
Furthermore, as a senior manager, I also manage the project managers within my section. To ensure they feel comfortable sharing their ideas and raising concerns openly, I hold regular one-on-one meetings to foster open discussions.
Global collaboration: Working as “One Team” with mutual respect
――What are the most fulfilling and attractive aspects of working as a project manager for Rakuten Ichiba?
It is very appealing to be able to work on a large-scale product such as Rakuten Ichiba, one of Japan's largest e-commerce sites. I find great satisfaction in knowing that our product provides value to so many people. It is also important to note that unlike other global IT companies, our development base is located in Japan. In fact, this was a major reason why I personally returned to the Rakuten Group after leaving once.
The members in our section come from over 10 different countries. While you might think communication would be challenging, we foster a lively and open environment where diverse opinions are encouraged and valued. We operate under the slogan of “One Team,” respecting each other and collaborating effectively to achieve our goals.
――What are the challenging aspects of your job?
The biggest challenge in the project management of Rakuten Ichiba is the system complexity. This is because there are many requirements and stakeholders involved. I believe proactive and effective communication is the key to overcoming this challenge.
It is critical for a project manager to clearly convey ideas and actively listen to all stakeholders, team members, and clients throughout the entire project lifecycle.
In my team, we value face-to-face discussions and video conferences, because we understand the importance of facial expressions and body language when communicating.
Of course, miscommunication can sometimes happen. I think the most important thing is to learn why the miscommunication happened and seek solutions to avoid it happening again.
――What kind of mindset would be a good fit for the job?
A successful project manager here has the leadership skills to unite stakeholders and team members into “One Team” to drive projects forward. We're looking for someone proactive, with a passion for continuous improvement, and who fosters a culture of learning and growth for their team members.
――What experience and skills can a project manager here gain through work?
You won't find many projects as large and impactful as Rakuten Ichiba. Because of this scale, the experience and skills you'll gain here are truly exceptional. In some cases, you might be communicating with over 100 stakeholders, aligning everyone towards a common goal.
While this might sound daunting, we're constantly refining our project management best practices, and every new team member is paired with a mentor for guidance and support.
――Could you share a message to those considering a project management career at Rakuten Ichiba?
What truly sets our team apart is its diversity. We have members from various countries, and we respect each other regardless of nationality. We function as “One Team,” freely discussing ideas and collaborating every day.
If you're eager to grow as a leader while also fostering the growth of your team members as a project manager, we'd love to hear from you! We encourage you to apply!
*The information in this article is current as of September 5, 2025.
Come work with us!
Commerce & Marketing Company EC Marketplace Development Department (ECMPD) is seeking talented individuals to join our team in developing new services, managing daily operations, and driving continuous improvements. Recruitment is open for a variety of positions, including engineers and product managers. We look forward to receiving your application!
→Click here for hiring details for the position in this article
