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Rakuten Pay for Shopify merchants targeting Japan

Increase Japan checkout conversion with Rakuten Pay

Rakuten Pay offers a streamlined payment method for merchants catering to Japanese consumers, enhancing local market reach.

Built for stronger local trust and smoother checkout in Japan.

As a digital wallet, Rakuten Pay is designed for the Japanese market, providing a familiar and trusted payment option for local consumers. Key features include support for full refunds, although it lacks recurring and one-click payment capabilities.

JapanDigital WalletLocal market reach
Rakuten Pay payment method guide for Shopify merchants targeting JP

Trusted Japan Payment Method

Japan focusLocal favouriteHigh conversion in Japan

Payment Method Details

Market Fit

Primary marketJapan
Consumer currencyJPY
Merchant availabilityJapan

Capabilities

Refund supportSupports full refunds only.
Recurring supportNot supported
Settlement currencyJPY

Japan focus

Strong local relevance for merchants targeting Japan.

Standard coverage

Standard payment coverage without an additional assurance layer.

Secure authentication

Uses a secure flow to complete the customer payment step.

Digital Wallet positioning

Digital Wallet with strong domestic checkout fit for Japan.

PCI-aware payment infrastructure
Secure bank authentication
No unnecessary card-detail exposure

Conversion insight

Why Rakuten Pay can improve local checkout performance

A local payment method can remove hesitation at the final payment step. For merchants selling into Japan, the gain is usually less about adding another button and more about matching buyer expectation, pricing context, and local checkout trust.

Market fit

Japan

Designed for local checkout familiarity in Japan.

Currency readiness

JPY

Supports local pricing expectations and payment operations.

Checkout confidence

Standard

Built to reduce friction and improve payment trust at the final step.

Payment stack strategy

Local + global balance

The strongest setup usually combines a trusted local method with broader international coverage. For Japan, that often means leading with Rakuten Pay while keeping cards and PayPal available for wider buyer preference coverage.

Rakuten PayPaypalStripe

What Rakuten Pay is

Rakuten Pay is a digital wallet service popular in Japan.

Rakuten Pay is a convenient payment method for Japanese consumers, allowing them to use their Rakuten account balance for purchases.

This payment method is particularly beneficial for Shopify merchants targeting the Japanese market, as it aligns with local consumer preferences.

Market Focus

Exclusively available for transactions within Japan.

Digital Wallet

Allows consumers to pay using their Rakuten account balance.

Refund Support

Enables merchants to process full refunds efficiently.

Why Rakuten Pay matters

Understanding Rakuten Pay's role can enhance a merchant's strategy in Japan.

Local Preference

Aligns with consumer payment habits in Japan.

Trusted Brand

Leverages the Rakuten brand's trust among Japanese users.

Simple Integration

Eases the payment process for merchants targeting Japan.

Full Refund Capability

Supports full refunds, aiding in customer satisfaction and retention.

How Rakuten Pay works

Rakuten Pay facilitates payments through a straightforward process.

1

Customer selects the method

The customer chooses Rakuten Pay at checkout.

2

Authentication

The customer logs into their Rakuten account to authorize the payment.

3

Payment Processing

Funds are deducted from the customer's Rakuten balance.

4

Merchant receives confirmation

The merchant is notified of the successful transaction.

When to use Rakuten Pay

Rakuten Pay is ideal for merchants targeting specific markets.

Ideal scenarios

  • Japanese consumer market
  • Digital goods
  • Retail businesses

Not ideal

  • Merchants needing recurring or subscription-based billing
  • Checkouts requiring a one-click saved-payment-method flow

Merchant considerations

Merchants should evaluate several factors before integrating Rakuten Pay.

Market Limitation

Only available for transactions within Japan.

Feature Limitations

Lacks recurring and one-click payment support.

Refund Process

Supports only full refunds, not partial ones.

Integration Complexity

Ensure compatibility with existing systems.

Consumer Familiarity

Best suited for markets where Rakuten is well-known.

Compare Rakuten Pay with common alternatives

Rakuten Pay is the best choice when local checkout fit in Japan matters more than generic international coverage.

MethodBest for
Rakuten PayBest choice
Japan local sales
Paypal
Buyer reassurance
Stripe
Stripe coverage

Integration pathway

Enable via your processor

Add the method through your payment service provider or processor configuration.

Connect it to Shopify checkout

Configure the Shopify-compatible payment flow so customers can see the method at checkout.

Optimise with CartDNA

Use CartDNA to prioritise local relevance, compare payment fit, and improve checkout performance.

Popular questions

Frequently asked questions about Rakuten Pay for Shopify

What is Rakuten Pay on Shopify?
Rakuten Pay is a digital wallet payment method available for Shopify merchants targeting the Japanese market.
Who should offer Rakuten Pay?
Merchants focusing on the Japanese market should consider offering Rakuten Pay to align with local consumer preferences.
Does Rakuten Pay support recurring payments?
No, Rakuten Pay does not support recurring payments.
Does Rakuten Pay support one-click checkout?
No, Rakuten Pay does not support one-click checkout.
What should merchants review before enabling Rakuten Pay?
Merchants should ensure they are targeting the Japanese market and understand the limitations regarding recurring and one-click payments.

Increase Japan conversions with Rakuten Pay

Enable local payments and reduce checkout drop-off.

Integrating Rakuten Pay can enhance your Shopify store's appeal to Japanese consumers. CartDNA provides insights and tools to optimize your payment strategies, ensuring seamless transactions and improved customer satisfaction. Start optimising in minutes with your existing Shopify setup.