Tokyo Takes the Global Stage: &TEAM to Headline Global Citizen Live Featuring Ai and Yuki Chiba
Global Citizen Live: Tokyo unites music fans to fund education and drive global health access.
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When music meets purpose, it can do more than entertain — it can mobilize millions. This June, Japan will take a bold step onto the global advocacy stage as Global Citizen brings its movement to Tokyo for the very first time. More than just a concert, Global Citizen Live: Tokyo signals a growing momentum in Asia to tackle some of the world’s most urgent challenges through collective action.
Taking place on June 18, 2026, at the iconic Tokyo International Forum, the event will be headlined by &TEAM and will feature performances by Ai, Japanese-American singer, and Yuki Chiba, Japanese rapper and producer, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks. Hosted by Chris Peppler, the event brings together music, culture, and advocacy in a powerful moment of global solidarity.
Ai, Japanese-American singer and Global Citizen Cultural Champion, will bring her voice to Tokyo and inspire action for change. Image: Supplied
At the heart of Global Citizen Live: Tokyo is a powerful mission — to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This ambitious initiative aims to raise ¥16 billion (approximately $100 million USD) to provide at least 100,000 children with access to quality education in over 150 countries, including Japan, by the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Education remains one of the most effective tools for breaking cycles of poverty, yet millions of children around the world still lack access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning environments. By linking ticket sales directly to this fund, the Tokyo event transforms every attendee into a participant in global change.
“Japan is a leader in promoting global health and providing for the needs of marginalized communities around the world,” said Simon Moss, Co-Founder of Global Citizen. “Now, we are thrilled to invite people across Japan to join Global Citizen, and be part of our mission to end extreme poverty. Together we can create a better future for children everywhere, and Global Citizen Live: Tokyo will be a moment to become part of something much bigger than just a show – it’s a movement.”
This idea — that entertainment can serve as a gateway to advocacy — is central to Global Citizen’s model. Since its founding in 2008, the movement has helped drive nearly ¥8 trillion (approximately $50 billion USD) in commitments, impacting 1.3 billion lives worldwide. From major policy wins to grassroots action, its campaigns have demonstrated the power of collective voices when amplified through culture.
For artists like &TEAM and Ai, participation in this event is not just a performance — it’s an extension of their identity and values.
“We’re excited to participate in Global Citizen’s first show in Tokyo in support of children’s education and health. Music has the power to connect diverse worlds, which has always been at the core of &TEAM’s identity, so it’s an honor to perform for such an important cause,” said &TEAM members EJ, FUMA, K, NICHOLAS, YUMA, JO, HARUA, TAKI, and MAKI.
"I am thrilled to participate in this event that introduces the mission of Global Citizen to the people of Japan,” said Ai. “I hope we can all use this as an opportunity to think more deeply about our global impact. Now more than ever, we’ve got to show each other compassion and support, so let’s take action together and make a difference.”
That connection — between diverse worlds, between local audiences and global issues — is what makes this moment particularly significant for Japan. As a country with a strong track record in global health leadership and international cooperation, Japan’s engagement in movements like Global Citizen reflects an opportunity to further expand its influence in addressing global inequality.
Corporate partners are also playing a critical role. MetLife Japan, a major supporter of the event, highlights how private sector engagement can help scale impact.
“Guided by our purpose to build more confident futures, MetLife is proud to bring our global partnership with Global Citizen through Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, using the power of music and collective action to drive meaningful change,” says Dirk Ostijn, MetLife Japan Representative Statutory Executive Officer, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Through this partnership and MetLife Foundation’s support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, we’re helping expand access to education and strengthen communities.”
Importantly, Global Citizen Live: Tokyo is not a standalone moment; it is part of a broader ecosystem of action. In the lead-up to the event, individuals can engage through the Global Citizen app by taking action on some of the world’s most urgent issues, including global health and maternal and child health in the world’s most marginalized communities. These actions contribute to expanding access to essential health services and improving outcomes for mothers and children, helping to prevent avoidable deaths in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
This model of engagement, where everyday people can take small but meaningful steps, helps democratize advocacy. It shifts the narrative from passive consumption to active participation, reminding us that change is driven not only by leaders but also by millions of individuals choosing to act.
As Global Citizen expands its footprint into Japan, it also reinforces a broader truth: global challenges require global solutions. Whether it’s access to education, healthcare, or economic opportunity, progress depends on collaboration across borders, sectors, and cultures.
Tokyo’s debut in the Global Citizen Live series is therefore more than symbolic. It represents a growing recognition that Asia — and Japan in particular — has a vital role to play in shaping a more equitable world.
And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that moments of joy, like live music, can also be impactful.
Want to join the movement? Get your tickets now from eplus and LAWSON TICKET, download the Global Citizen app, and follow @glblctznjapan on Instagram.