The initiative, which is funded by The Nippon Foundation and delivered by LFC Foundation, will run in Kawasaki and Tokyo. It aims to engage children from marginalised communities through sport and education, equipping them with the skills they need to improve their local communities and become future leaders.

The official launch event was held at the LFC International Academy in Kawasaki, with more than 60 children from the local community taking part in a series of workshops both on and off the pitch.

On the field, participants explored communication, confidence-building and collaboration through football-based activities. In the classroom, sessions focused on developing teamworking skills, improving active listening and learning to lead.

Following the youth sessions, LFC Foundation staff delivered a ‘Train The Trainer’ day, providing professional development for LFC International Academy coaches on how to deliver effective workshops.

Matt Parish, CEO at LFC Foundation said: "We’re proud to have partnered with The Nippon Foundation to launch the Leaders of Tomorrow programme. Our aim is to help tackle social inequalities in our communities, and with the support of the Nippon Foundation we’re bringing our programmes to Japan to support children in Kawasaki, Tokyo and beyond.

"There was a fantastic turnout of families for our inaugural event at the LFC International Academy in Kawasaki and we were proud to bring our programmes to life and showcase how championing health, education and employability can help to create leaders of tomorrow here in Japan.”

Together, LFC Foundation and The Nippon Foundation are committed to providing life-changing opportunities for children across Japan, working with them to develop the confidence and skills to create real change in their communities, while also advancing the sporting landscape.