Japan-based internet services company Rakuten has revealed plans to launch a web-based shopping mall in Malaysia, dubbed Rakuten Online Shopping.

The website is set to be launched in late 2012 and the company is currently recruiting merchant partners to populate its online shopping mall. Rakuten Online Shopping will focus on providing consumers in Malaysia with local and international goods. The new website expands Rakuten's footprint in South East Asia, marking its third e-commerce market entry in the region, following TARAD.com in Thailand in 2009 and Indonesia's Rakuten Belanja Online in 2011.

Rakuten launched its pioneering Japanese e-commerce platform, Rakuten Ichiba, in 1997. Since then, the company offers a business to business to consumer (B2B2C) model, enabling merchants to build online storefronts on the marketplace and sell directly to consumers.

In April 2012, Rakuten has unveiled its intentions to end online shopping mall services in China, which was launched in joint venture with Chinese search engine company Baidu.