Iqbal
Entry date…Joined mid-career in August 2022
Department…EC Logistics Development Department (ECLD), Commerce & Marketing Company
Position…Product Manager
Hometown…Palembang, IndonesiaHobbies…Playing video games, gardening, home furnishing
Meet Iqbal, who has roots in both Indonesia and the Netherlands. Leveraging his multilingual skills and experience in diverse cultural environments, he thrives as a product manager at Rakuten Group.
In this interview, we explore the role of a product manager within the EC Logistics Development Department (ECLD), covering its responsibilities, the work environment, and the ideal candidate profile.
INDEX
✔Finding a Home for Multilingual Skills at Rakuten Group
✔Excelling as a Product Manager for Three Services
✔A Challenging Workplace that Encourages Professional and Personal Development
Finding a Home for Multilingual Skills at Rakuten Group
――Could you start by introducing yourself?
Hi, I’m Iqbal, working as the product manager for the EC Logistics Development Department (ECLD).
I am of Indonesian and Dutch heritage, and I’ve been living in Japan since 2020, before joining Rakuten Group.
I studied interior design in university and started my career as an interior designer after graduation. However, I wasn’t satisfied with my career trajectory, so I moved on to become a manager at an IT company. My current job has numerous opportunities for learning and developing skills, which makes every day feel fulfilling.
I spend my free time playing video games, gardening, and home-furnishing. Recently, I got hooked on building an aquarium and spent too much money on that (laugh).
――Iqbal, you were working at a Japanese IT company before joining Rakuten Group. Why did you change jobs?
In the IT company where I used to work, most of the employees were Japanese. Because of this, Japanese was used in almost all communication, both in work and daily interactions. While I consider myself fairly fluent in the language, the environment felt stifling. So, I looked for an opportunity at a more global company and found Rakuten Group.
At Rakuten Group, I can leverage my capability to communicate in multiple languages, my experience living in several different cultures, and my interest in various fields. This has helped me to grow not only as a product manager but also as a person.
Excelling as a Product Manager for Three Services
――Please tell us about the services you are currently handling.
I currently belong to the EC Logistics Development Department (ECLD) and handle the following three services. Trunk Line Management System, which manages logistics, WHALE (Warehouse Analysis Leveraging Existing Data), which is a tool that analyzes activities in the warehouse to optimize operations, and Rakuten Global Express, which is a service that delivers products purchased on Japanese shopping websites to overseas customers.
――Could you describe the work you do?
As the product manager of the above three projects, I handle either product management or project management depending on the needs of each project.
In the case of the Trunk Line Management System and WHALE, I primarily focus on product management, which involves gathering requirements from the business side, translating them into product designs and specifications, and managing the product's development from start to release.
As for Rakuten Global Express, my main focus is on project management. I'm responsible for managing business-side projects, coordinating development and QA timelines, and ensuring clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
――Could you walk us through your workflow?
The process begins with development requests from the business side. I evaluate these requests, develop budget and schedule estimates, and present these proposals to the business team for approval. Once approved, I collaborate with the business team to define detailed specifications for development and then manage the project to ensure it stays on schedule and within budget."
After development is complete, the product manager also oversees the release process. These procedures vary depending on the project's scale and complexity, ranging from simple code deployments to production environments, to complex rollouts involving a month-long period of live monitoring by developers.
In all cases, planning at each stage of the project is crucial for ensuring smooth development and a successful release.
――What types of professionals do you work with?
As a project liaison, I collaborate with a wide range of professionals both within and outside Rakuten Group. My daily communication spans various roles and departments, including executives, fellow team members, business teams, software developers, and warehouse operators.
Within Rakuten Global Express for example, I coordinate between Rakuten Group's business teams, third-party vendor developers, warehouse operators managed by third-party logistics companies, and third-party QA vendors.
A Challenging Workplace that Encourages Professional and Personal Development
――What are the most fulfilling and attractive aspects of your job?
As someone coming from a multinational background and speaking multiple languages, I truly appreciate the opportunity to leverage my skills, knowledge, and experience to the fullest in this environment.
I feel valued by my team, and I appreciate them for that. I particularly benefit from the diversity of my colleagues. Every interaction reveals new perspectives and insights, keeping my work engaging and fulfilling on both a professional and personal level.
――What are the challenging aspects of your job?
Although Rakuten Group is a global company, it is still a Japanese company. Because of this, I sometimes find Japanese rules and customs challenging. Ironically, because I speak Japanese fluently, people assume that I understand all of these rules and customs, which can be tough.
When I first came to Japan, I found the language and rules, especially in business settings, very difficult. For example, in English-speaking countries, it's perfectly acceptable to write concise business emails. However, in Japanese, there are many detailed rules, such as the need for honorifics and opening and closing greetings. To ensure my emails are polite and don't seem unnatural to Japanese readers, I created my own templates.
――What skills can you gain from working as a product manager at Rakuten Group?
The most important skill for a product manager at Rakuten Group is adaptability. Through experience, I feel I've developed the ability to quickly plan a course of action and then adapt and evolve it during execution, depending on the situation.
――What kind of mindset would be a good fit for the workplace?
Rather than simply performing routine tasks, <this workplace is ideal for those who are looking for more challenging work in a global environment. It's also a good fit for those who desire a flexible and autonomous work style.
――Could you share a message to those considering a career at Rakuten Group?
Rakuten Group, where you can encounter diverse perspectives and embrace challenges, is a good workplace for those who want to redefine themselves. Working here might raise many questions about yourself and your life so far. However, at Rakuten Group, your actions can change the future for the better.
*The information in this article is current as of November 21, 2025.
Come work with us!
Commerce & Marketing Company EC Logistics Development Department (ECLD) 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!
