Associate / HR Business Partner, Japan (GATD)

Job Description:

Business Overview 

The Global Ad Technology Department (GATD) runs the advertising systems that power Rakuten. We are a cross functional, data driven organization with a diverse team across four countries: Japan, Singapore, India and China. We develop, maintain and improve Rakuten’s advertising platform and data driven marketing solutions for internal and external stakeholders, and we also manage our own marketing research and advertising media tools. 

Department Overview 

GATD’s mission is to accelerate the growth of the whole Rakuten Group by creating great marketing solutions for our internal and external clients. Our strengths are the vast data assets from a growing number of Rakuten businesses, the talent and ideas of our diverse team, and the latest technologies in the market. 

Shape GATD’s future through its people. The GATD HR team works alongside leaders and members to solve business challenges, develop talent and build stronger teams. We bring fresh thinking, people insights and technology to decisions that improve performance and help our people and business grow. 

Why We Hire 

GATD is strengthening HR Business Partnering for its teams in Japan. This role gives managers and employees in Japan a dedicated HR partner who understands both the business and the local context, with a focus on performance management, talent management and talent development. 

It suits someone early in their HRBP journey who wants to grow quickly. You will own real work from the start, get close coaching from your manager, and work with HR colleagues across Japan, Singapore, India and China. We value frank conversations: you will hear clearly what is working and what is not, and we want you to tell us the same. 

Candidates with HR generalist, talent management, learning and development or HR operations experience who want to move into business partnering are welcome. 

Position Details 

This role is the day-to-day HR partner for GATD managers and employees in Japan, reporting directly to the business unit HR lead based in Singapore. You will own agreed HR activities for the Japan teams, handle most people matters independently, and work with your manager and the relevant Japan HR teams on complex or sensitive cases. The main focus is performance management, talent management and talent development, helping managers grow their people and teams. 

Key responsibilities are below. You will be developed into the full scope step by step, with coaching and support from your manager. Related duties may be added as business needs evolve. 

・Own the GATD Japan performance review and calibration cycles, from timelines and manager preparation to inputs and follow up on outcomes. 

・Help managers prepare for conversations around performance and talent development. 

・Help managers set clear goals and address performance issues early, including performance improvement plans where needed. 

・Support talent reviews for the Japan teams by preparing talent data, coordinating timelines and following up on agreed actions. 

・Coordinate Japan inputs to regional succession planning. 

・Work with managers to identify development needs and build development plans with their members. 

・Support career development conversations and help members understand career paths and job levels at Rakuten. 

・Roll out talent and career development programs in Japan, adapting them so they work for local teams. 

・Work with managers to turn engagement survey results into practical team actions, and check whether they made a difference. 

・Maintain regular reports on headcount, attrition, engagement, performance and talent for the Japan teams, and give managers a clear view of what the numbers mean. 

・Advise GATD managers in Japan on people matters such as feedback, attendance and team issues. 

・Handle employee relations cases in line with Japanese labor law and Rakuten Group, Inc. rules, including conduct matters and return to office practices, and escalate complex cases early. 

・Partner with Japan HR teams to resolve employee queries and outstanding HR matters for GATD members. 

・Improve how HR processes work for GATD in Japan, making them simpler for managers and employees to use. 

Work Environment 

You will work closely with HR teams in Japan, regional Tech HR colleagues and specialist teams such as Talent Acquisition. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. 

Your manager is based in Singapore, so most day-to-day contact happens over video calls and chat. The role needs someone who works independently, communicates clearly and follows through reliably. Regular check ins and coaching are built in. 

Working Arrangement: Hybrid, with four days a week in the office 

Mandatory Qualifications: 

・3 years or more of HR experience in Japan, in any area such as HR generalist, HR operations, talent management or learning and development 

・Experience supporting HR processes such as performance reviews, goal setting, training or employee development, for example by coordinating timelines, collecting inputs or following up with managers 

・Experience addressing HR questions from managers or employees, including explaining decisions they may not agree with 

・Experience handling confidential employee information, such as performance or personal data 

・Able to work with HR data in Excel or Google Sheets, such as headcount or attrition reports 

・Basic knowledge of Japanese labor law and HR practices 

・Native or fluent Japanese (spoken and written) and business level English, including working with colleagues outside Japan 

Desired Qualifications: 

・Experience coordinating a full HR cycle, such as a performance review or engagement survey, from start to finish 

・Experience supporting employee relations matters, such as conduct or performance cases 

・Training or hands on experience in coaching or facilitation 

・Experience supporting engineering, product or other technology teams 

・Experience working with a manager or colleagues based outside Japan 

・Experience using Workday 

Career Growth 

You do not need to be fully independent on day one, and you do not need prior experience with talent reviews or succession planning. We will develop you into the full HRBP role step by step. You will start with hands on work in performance management and employee development, and take on more of the role as your skills grow, supported by structured coaching, regular check ins with your manager and involvement in regional work such as talent review and succession planning. 

Other Information:  

Location 

Rakuten Crimson House, Futakotamagawa Rise, Tokyo 

English Qualification 

TOEIC 800