#Japan #Tokyo #Rakuten #N-3 #MCP Catalog

N-3 Introduces MCP Catalog and Rakuten Remote MCP Server

合同会社N-3, based in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, has launched two key developments aimed at revolutionizing the integration of AI agents with external services. With the unveiling of the "Model Context Protocol (MCP) Catalog" and the free "Rakuten Remote MCP Server," N-3 is streamlining the way AI agents like ChatGPT and Claude can access practical, real-world data.

About the Launch

N-3's primary goal is to promote the use and implementation of the MCP standard, designed to facilitate seamless connections between AI agents and an array of external services. The MCP Catalog serves as a comprehensive software repository that aggregates essential information about remote MCP servers suitable for daily and business operations.

As a core feature of this catalog, the new Rakuten Remote MCP Server provides AI agents access to data from Japan's leading e-commerce and travel platforms, including Rakuten Travel and Rakuten Books, making it easier for developers to create powerful AI integrations without enduring lengthy local environment setups.

This initiative builds upon N-3's earlier collaboration with AI HYVE, where they launched an "Open Data Remote MCP Server" designed for governmental data access, pushing forward the practical application of AI in society.

Key Features of the Release

• - MCP Catalog Launch: A new portal providing centralized access to valuable remote MCP server information useful for both everyday tasks and professional applications.
• - Free Rakuten Remote MCP Server: This tool allows AI agents to access Rakuten APIs online, streamlining the retrieval of data such as product rankings and travel availability.
• - Comprehensive Tools: The MCP Catalog now offers a suite of 11 different remote MCP servers, allowing users to search and access resources across various sectors including e-commerce, travel, and administrative data.

Background and Purpose

The relevance of the MCP as an integral connection standard is rapidly rising in an era of AI agents that autonomously solve user challenges through external data and tools. Following the release of the administrative API MCP server, demand from developers and businesses for practical commercial data access has surged.

As a response to this demand, N-3 launched the MCP Catalog to provide users with the ability to select and utilize desired MCP servers. This innovative approach not only enhances the accessibility of commercial data for AI use but also simplifies the user journey by eliminating the hassle of searching for countless dispersed MCP servers. The introduction of the Rakuten Remote MCP Server, leveraging the robust API ecosystem of Rakuten Group, directly caters to common usage scenarios, enabling developers to create solutions that resonate with everyday needs.

Features of the New Tools

1. MCP Catalog: A one-stop information source showcasing N-3’s remote MCP servers, featuring 11 categories related to municipal, e-commerce, and tool integrations, enhancing the capabilities of AI agents.

Website: MCP Catalog

2. Rakuten Remote MCP Server: This server enables AI clients like ChatGPT or Claude to quickly access various APIs, enhancing the user experience across multiple applications. The newly added services include:
- Travel Facility Search API: Find accommodations based on specified keywords or locations while comparing prices and reviews.
- Setting URL: Rakuten Travel
- Product Ranking Retrieval on Rakuten: Get the top-selling items by category and demographic filters to keep up with the latest trends.
- Setting URL: Rakuten Product Ranking
- Category ID Retrieval: Allows AI to refine searches better by understanding Rakuten's category hierarchy.
- Setting URL: Rakuten Category ID

Use Cases

• - Travel Planning Agent: Users can instruct the AI, saying, "Find a hot spring inn within two hours from central Tokyo for this weekend," leveraging the accommodation search API for accurate recommendations.
• - Shopping Advisor AI: The AI can suggest product options based on specific criteria, such as a budget of 10,000 JPY and high customer ratings.
• - Trend and Price Research AI: Users might ask the AI for the latest gadgets for men in their thirties, including a price comparison of the most popular items available.

Company Insights

N-3's founder, Hirokazu Kurimoto, expressed excitement over this launch, noting, "Following our previous success with governmental open data, we are making strides to connect AI with everyday data relevant to our lives, such as e-commerce and travel. The true potential of MCP lies in its ability to form connections among a variety of tools and data, enhancing the user experience."

As the landscape of AI continues to evolve, N-3 aims to contribute to a future where AI and humans collaborate to create a powerful, practical platform for users everywhere.

Notes

• - The tools developed and provided by N-3 are not officially endorsed by Rakuten Group. N-3 utilizes the Rakuten Web Services API independently.
• - Data acquired through this server may present inaccuracies due to AI's processing. Users are encouraged to verify information directly on Rakuten's official pages before making any purchases or reservations.

The N-3 platform is currently offered in beta version free of charge, and specifications may change without prior notice.

For further inquiries, contact N-3's PR Representative at [email protected].