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FC Tokyo's HIGH HOPE Program: Empowering Dreams

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing youth crime, FC Tokyo has partnered with ICHI Inc. and Tamagawa Juvenile Center to implement the HIGH HOPE program, which officially launched in November 2024. The program has recently garnered recognition by winning the prestigious Social Challenger Award at the 2025 J-League Share! Awards, commemorated on May 19, 2025.

About the Award

The Share! Awards, organized by the Japan Professional Football League (J. League) and supported by the Sports Agency, aim to highlight efforts by local clubs to improve their communities through various social initiatives. This year, 58 clubs were in the running for awards, with FC Tokyo's project, "NO PLANET, NO TOKYO: Nurturing Dreams through HIGH HOPE," emerging victorious in the Social Challenger category.


Recognizing Community Engagement

The J. League believes in utilizing its influence to create meaningful change within communities. Their engagement initiatives address various social issues such as education, diversity, health, and intergenerational dialogue. In the awards program, fans and supporters participated in the selection process, contributing over 17,000 votes on a dedicated site between March 6 and March 20.

The HIGH HOPE program is spearheaded by Naohiro Ishikawa, a former member of the Japan National Team and FC Tokyo's Community Generator, who, along with other club representatives, actively collaborates with the youth at the juvenile center. Through workshops focusing on themes of entrepreneurship, ethics, and product planning, the program aims to instill valuable life skills in participants.


Insights from Award Selection Committee

Commenting on the significance of the program, a member of the selection committee expressed the importance of communicating to young offenders that there are adults who support and believe in them. The number of companies backing the initiative has doubled from 23 to 46, showcasing growing trust in FC Tokyo and its mission. The ultimate goal is for the youth to reintegrate as responsible citizens, and the committee hopes other teams will adopt similar approaches.

Message from ICHI Inc. President

Kazuto Nakamura, the CEO of ICHI Inc., shared his thoughts on the program, emphasizing the challenges faced in collaborating while considering societal expectations and potential backlash from stakeholders and users. Despite these hurdles, being recognized as a Social Challenger has reaffirmed the positive impact of their work.

"The HIGH HOPE program is about challenging ourselves to make society better. We are grateful for FC Tokyo's willingness to support us in a space where many companies previously hesitated to engage due to perceived risks. Our programming is a vital step toward changing societal structures, starting from juvenile institutions and hoping to expand beyond Tokyo in the future," said Nakamura.

The current focus includes product planning where the participants will design tote bags to be revealed during a home game at Ajinomoto Stadium on September 23, 2025. Nakamura invites the public to witness the fruits of these collaborative efforts.

FC Tokyo's Community Engagement

Ishikawa, too, echoed sentiments of gratitude and commitment to the program. Reflecting on his long career as a professional athlete, he highlighted the importance of support from family, teammates, and fans during challenging times.

"Our existence, the existence of FC Tokyo, should serve as a source of strength for these young individuals. Through the HIGH HOPE program, we aim to foster a relationship where both the youth and FC Tokyo uplift each other. Together, we can create a society that supports and forgives, ensuring no one becomes a victim or perpetrator," Ishikawa stated poignantly.

Future Plans and Vision

The next phases of the HIGH HOPE program will be held on May 21 and June 4, 2025, at Tamagawa Juvenile Center, continuing to nurture entrepreneurship among the youth. Encapsulating the essence of their mission, both Nakamura and Ishikawa hope that, through collaboration with various sports clubs across Japan, they can revolutionize societal perceptions and support systems for juvenile offenders.

Through innovation and community engagement, the HIGH HOPE initiative stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with the right support and opportunities, young lives can be transformed for the better.

Interested parties can follow the program’s development and participate in ongoing crowdfunding efforts to help in expanding these impactful initiatives further.