#Japan #Tokyo #Luxury Card #Masataka Yoshida #Baseball Legend Foundation

Luxury Card's Initiative to Empower Small Businesses with Masataka Yoshida

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Luxury Card, renowned for introducing the Mastercard® World Elite in Japan, has announced its new initiative titled the "Small Business Support Project," which will officially kick off in October 2025. Partnering with Major League Baseball (MLB) star Masataka Yoshida, Luxury Card intends to offer small businesses the opportunity to utilize Yoshida's image in their advertising campaigns, something previously accessible only to larger corporations with significant marketing budgets.

The Vision Behind the Project

Masataka Yoshida, currently serving as a brand ambassador for Luxury Card since July 2025, embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination, traits that resonate with the company’s goals. This initiative aims not only to elevate the brand value of participating small enterprises but also to contribute to social causes. A portion of the sponsorship fees will be allocated to support Yoshida's philanthropic efforts, particularly involving youth assistance through the Baseball Legend Foundation.

Yoshida’s return to the MLB—after recovering from shoulder surgery and demonstrating remarkable prowess by hitting a home run in his season finale—has inspired countless individuals. His dedication and resilience in the face of challenges are attributes that align seamlessly with the mission of Luxury Card, which seeks to create unparalleled value for its members.

Project Overview

The Small Business Support Project provides a unique platform for small businesses to feature Yoshida in their promotional materials. Traditionally, hiring a top athlete for advertising can range from tens to hundreds of millions of yen, making it infeasible for many small enterprises. However, this initiative offers a special pricing model tailored exclusively for Luxury Card corporate members, allowing them to access Yoshida’s image for web ads, promotional items, and in-store displays at a fraction of the regular cost.

This initiative not only serves as a marketing opportunity but also allows participating businesses to play a part in social responsibility, connected through their support of Yoshida's community initiatives.

Opportunity for Small Businesses

The project's scope includes various media channels such as print, web, and social media, enabling businesses to integrate Yoshida’s imagery into their marketing effectively. An additional perk for sponsors will include receiving an autographed baseball by Masataka Yoshida, further enhancing the value of their participation.

Yoshida expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, highlighting his commitment to supporting hard-working individuals, regardless of the scale of their ventures. This initiative reflects his desire to back those striving towards their goals.

Luxury Card’s Commitment

Kikuchi Nozomi, CEO of Luxury Card, elaborated on the strategic opportunity presented through this initiative. He emphasized that the ethos of Yoshida mirrors their mission of providing exceptional experiences and encouraging members to step beyond traditional boundaries. With this partnership, Luxury Card aims to instill growth opportunities for businesses while simultaneously contributing to social welfare.

The Luxury Card brand, founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Scott Blam, has made notable strides in Japan since 2016, gaining traction among young business leaders who seek both exclusive privileges and a community for networking.

As this project officially launches, it represents a pioneering effort in merging sports, business, and social contribution—a triad that promises to empower both aspiring companies and support youth empowerment initiatives.

Through this collaborative effort, Luxury Card continues its mission to provide its members with unparalleled value while fostering a sense of community and philanthropy.