Japan Stock of the Day | Kabutaro & Friends

On August 17, 2026, the most talked-about Japanese stock online was Rakuten Group <4755>.
Background: At 11:30 a.m. on August 17, Nikkei's online edition reported that the company would partner with German defense startup Helsing. Helsing develops AI-equipped autonomous attack drones supplied to Ukraine and is one of Europe's largest decacorns, with an estimated valuation of 18 billion dollars (roughly 2.9 trillion yen). Because Helsing has no track record in Japan, Rakuten will serve as its Japanese point of contact, supporting introduction into the country including proposals to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, with eventual domestic mass production also in view. The drones are capable of intercepting missiles, and a demonstration test to determine whether the Ground Self-Defense Force will adopt them is scheduled by the end of September. This marks Rakuten's first involvement with aircraft usable for military purposes.
The stock extended gains in the afternoon session, briefly rising 26.6 yen to 790.4 yen for a third consecutive advance. The report also spread buying to drone-related names such as Terra Drone <278A> and Liberaware <218A>. The Nikkei 225 rose for a fifth straight session, closing up 506.45 points at 69,220.25 and reclaiming the 69,000 level.