#Japan #Tokyo #ACE #Child Labor #Campaign 2026

Addressing Child Labor Threats through Sports Initiatives

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, the non-profit organization ACE, which heads the Child Labor Network (CL-Net), is launching the 'Stop Child Labor Campaign 2026' from May 15 to June 30. This initiative coincides with the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, and aims to raise awareness of the need for fair play in society towards a world free from child labor.

A Historical Context of Child Labor in Soccer

Child labor in the soccer ball industry has been a significant global issue since the 1990s. For instance, in Sialkot, Pakistan, it was reported that around 7,000 children were involved in the manual stitching of soccer balls, bringing international scrutiny to the practice. This catalyzed NGOs like ACE to advocate for child labor-free soccer balls during the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan.

By successfully mobilizing various stakeholders—including consumers, businesses, and sports organizations—child labor in the soccer ball industry has been nearly eradicated. This collective action demonstrates that eliminating child labor is feasible when communities unite for a common cause. However, challenges remain, especially when child labor occurs in less visible settings.

The Ongoing Challenge of Child Labor

Despite significant progress, global estimates suggest that approximately 138 million children are still engaged in child labor today, with 54 million in particularly hazardous conditions, according to the latest reports from the ILO and UNICEF. Although the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed to end all forms of child labor by 2025, this target will not be met unless we accelerate efforts significantly—by as much as elevenfold in some estimates. This community challenge is not confined to distant lands but is intricately linked to consumer behavior, corporate responsibilities, and public policies.

Taking Action Today

The 'Stop Child Labor Campaign 2026' aims to mobilize individuals to act through social media. Participants are encouraged to display red cards symbolizing their stance against child labor and submit photos tagged with '#StopChildLabor.' For every action taken—such as posting a photo—100 yen will be donated to child labor prevention and abolition efforts.

The campaign targets 13,800 actions to reflect the stunning number of child laborers worldwide and aims to raise a total of 1.38 million yen through these actions. Contributors will directly support various NGOs working towards eliminating child labor, including ACE and other partner organizations.

Rethinking Our Consumption Behaviors

Addressing child labor requires systemic change across individual choices, corporate supply chains, educational initiatives, and advocacy. The campaign recognizes that every small action, when combined, can lead to significant impact. Participants are not only encouraged to take part in this campaign but to think critically about the broader implications of their consumption choices.

Support the Cause

To get involved, consider making a direct donation or participating in the social media campaign using red cards. For additional resources, including downloadable materials, visit the campaign's dedicated website. By uniting under one cause, we can envision and enact a world without child labor.

For more information on this initiative, please contact:

• - ACE Non-Profit Organization - Press Inquiry
• - Email: press%acejapan.org (replace % with @)
• - Phone: 03-3835-7555 (Weekdays, 10 AM - 5 PM)
• - Website: ACE Japan