The move follows the partnership between LFC Foundation and The Nippon Foundation, which was launched in Tokyo ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Yokohoma F. Marinos.

Together they set up the Leaders of Tomorrow programme, funded by The Nippon Foundation and delivered by LFC Foundation, in Kawasaki and Tokyo. It uses sport and education to engage children from marginalised communities.

And now, the Leaders of Tomorrow has been selected as the first children’s programme to sit under the British Embassy Tokyo’s MUSUBI Initiative. MUSUBI, which means “to connect” in Japanese, brings together organisations from government, industry, education and civil society to build long-term relationships between the UK and Japan, with a shared focus on empowering the next generation.

The programme’s inclusion in the MUSUBI Initiative was marked with a signing ceremony at LFC International Academy Japan, which is also part if the MUSUBI network.

Following the ceremony, LFC Foundation staff delivered a Train the Trainer session for LFC international Academy coaches, sharing practical guidance to support the delivery of leadership-focused workshops as part of the programme.

Matt Parish, Chief Executive at LFC Foundation said: “We are delighted to join the British Embassy Tokyo’s Musubi initiative. Here at the LFC Foundation, partnership work and collaboration is key to the success of our programmes which saw us work with 145,000 participants last season across five countries.” “Working closely with the Nippon Foundation, we are extremely excited about the potential of our Leaders of Tomorrow programme to empower young people in Japan and help them become future leaders.”

HMA Julia Longbottom, British Ambassador to Japan added: “As we join this partnership with the LFC Foundation, I am delighted to see the Leaders of Tomorrow programme take root here in Japan. This collaboration is a significant boost for the MUSUBI Initiative, reflecting our commitment to UK–Japan cooperation and to creating opportunities for young people, including those who face social and economic barriers.

“We are excited to lend our full support as the programme expands across schools throughout Japan, helping more children build confidence and unlock their potential. By working together, I am confident that we can deliver meaningful, sustainable and longterm change for the next generation in both our countries.”

Takehiro Umemura, Director, Planning & Communications Division, The Nippon Foundation said: “The Leaders of Tomorrow programme, delivered by The Nippon Foundation and the Liverpool FC Foundation, empowers young people through sport—helping them develop independence, teamwork, and the skills needed to become future leaders who will contribute to their communities and greater society.

“We are honoured that this programme has been selected as the first programme for children under the MUSUBI Initiative, a symbol of the partnership between the UK–Japan. This reflects our shared understanding of how essential it is to invest in the next generation.

“By joining the MUSUBI network and community, we look forward to building on the combined expertise and experience of both Japan and the United Kingdom, and to expanding this programme as a model for nurturing future leaders with a global outlook. We sincerely hope that today’s signing ceremony will serve as a new starting point, enabling this programme to expand from Kawasaki City to schools and communities across Japan, and supporting the growth of the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ who will shape our future.”

Together, LFC Foundation and The Nippon Foundation remain 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.