{
  "id": 3178882,
  "title": "Drone tie-up prompts more Japan firms to leave Rakuten e-commerce site",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/drone-tie-up-prompts-more-japan-firms-to-leave-rakuten-e-commerce-site",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-25T03:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260825/p2g/00m/0bu/012000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo-based eatery Berg has pulled its store off Rakuten Group Inc.'s e-commerce platform, joining other Japanese companies that have removed their presence over the company's reported partnership with a German drone start-up. The cafe and bar in Shinjuku district cited its anti-war stance as the reason for the withdrawal.\n\nAccording to a familiar source, Rakuten is set to collaborate with German defense artificial intelligence company Helsing. Helsing specializes in AI-powered drone systems, capable of autonomous operation and missile interception. The drones are designed for mass production and have been utilized in recent conflicts like Russia's war against Ukraine.\n\nThe Japanese leather goods manufacturer and retailer based in Osaka, which sells the QuatroGats brand, also announced the withdrawal of its store from Rakuten's marketplace. The company adheres to a corporate philosophy that conflicts with Rakuten's partnership. Their product line includes wallets with peace and nuclear abolition designs.\n\nCataloghouse Ltd., a mail-order firm and publisher of a shopping catalog magazine in Japan, withdrew its Tsuhan Seikatsu (Mail Order Life) store from Rakuten's website last week.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Tokyo-based eatery said Monday it has withdrawn its store from Rakuten Group Inc.'s e-commerce website, adding to the growing numbe",
  "key_points": [
    "Berg restaurant removes store from Rakuten due to anti-war stance",
    "Rakuten to partner with German AI drone company Helsing",
    "Osaka leather goods retailer quits Rakuten over partnership"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rakuten's reported drone partnership is prompting some Japanese companies to exit its e-commerce platform, reflecting a clash between Rakuten's new business ties and the values of some of its existing merchants.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "The Mainichi News Quiz: What metal are foreign-funded firms aiming to mine in Japan?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/the-mainichi-news-quiz-what-metal-are-foreign-funded-firms-aiming-to",
        "published": "2026-08-25T03:00:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}