
Press Kit:
Photo assets . Photo credit: Getty Images for Global Citizen
Video assets .
PRESS
Global Citizen Live: Tokyo Marks Historic Japan Debut With Spectacular Performances From YOSHIKI, &TEAM, AI and Yuki Chiba, With Surprise Guests HYDE, Kiyoharu, MIYAVI and Beverly
Summary
First-Ever Live Music Event in Japan from Advocacy Nonprofit Global Citizen Brings Together Culture and Action to Expand Access to Education and Support Global Health Initiatives Worldwide
Thursday 18 June 2026
Tokyo, Japan // 18 June 2026 – Tonight, Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty, staged its first-ever music event in Japan with Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, an unforgettable evening of music, culture and citizen-led advocacy at the iconic Tokyo International Forum. Headlined by YOSHIKI and &TEAM, with performances by AI and Yuki Chiba, and hosted by Chris Peppler, the event brought together fans, artists and changemakers for a powerful celebration of music and collective action to expand access to quality education and healthcare for children worldwide.
Proceeds from all tickets sold to Global Citizen Live: Tokyo contributed to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise ¥16 billion to provide children with access to quality education in marginalized communities around the world. The commitments reaffirmed on tonight’s Global Citizen Live: Tokyo stage showcase Japan’s powerful leadership in advancing opportunities to help transform the lives of children and young people worldwide.
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is supporting grassroots organisations focused on expanding access to quality education and sports for children in underserved communities around the world, including programs in Japan. Beneficiaries in Japan include Ubuntu FS, a Kitakyushu-based organisation using sport, culture and social engagement to foster inclusion, youth development and stronger local communities, and SDGs Promise Japan, a Tokyo-based nonprofit advancing sustainable development and poverty reduction through education, economic empowerment and community-led initiatives, particularly across Africa.
Vocal powerhouse AI opened the show with unstoppable energy, performing her hits ‘Happiness’, ‘Not So Different’ and ‘I WANNA KNOW’. Yuki Chiba delivered a high-energy performance highlighted by the viral breakthrough hit ‘Team Tomodachi’, as well as standout tracks ‘Shinzo’ and ‘Jiyu’.
Japan-based global group &TEAM took the stage with electrifying energy, captivating the crowd with a dynamic set featuring some of their signature songs, including the hit track “FIREWORK,” the title track from their EP that achieved three consecutive million-seller records “We on Fire,”; and fan-favorite “Run Wild.” Their powerful performance sent the audience into a frenzy.
Delivering a spectacular closing performance, YOSHIKI captivated the audience with an emotional and electrifying set that showcased his signature artistry and global influence as one of Japan’s most celebrated musicians and composers. Acclaimed artists HYDE, KIYOHARU, MIYAVI and Beverly joined Yoshiki on stage with surprise appearances, contributing unforgettable performances of his iconic songs. The electrifying performance included the legendary ‘Endless Rain’, the epic masterpiece ‘Art of Life’, and ‘Red Swan’, the internationally acclaimed theme song from ‘Attack on Titan’. The set featured fan favorites, debuted new songs, and included powerful drum solos, bringing the energy in the venue to its peak.
“Global Citizen Live: Tokyo marked an historic milestone for our movement, as we brought Global Citizen’s mission and global impact to Japan for the very first time,” said Simon Moss, Co-Founder of Global Citizen. “Japan’s leadership has never been more important — for the first time in 25 years, global child deaths are increasing, and it is the ongoing investments made by the Japanese government and people that are critical to change this. We are incredibly grateful to the artists, partners and fans who came together in Tokyo to support efforts to expand access to quality education and healthcare, and create opportunities for young people around the world.”
In the lead-up to the event, fans earned free tickets to Global Citizen Live: Tokyo by taking action on the Global Citizen app in support of the world’s most urgent issues. Nearly five million children die each year before their fifth birthday from preventable diseases, but by engaging on Global Citizen platforms, fans have directly supported efforts to improve global health and maternal and child health in the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Ahead of Global Citizen Live: Tokyo, the nonprofit hosted the inaugural Global Citizen Policy Dialogues, convening leaders from the government, business, philanthropy, civil society, international organizations, media, and cultural sectors to discuss how collective action can help build a healthier, more resilient future. Topics focused on maternal and child health, health system resilience, innovation, and investment in future generations. Participants recognized the urgent need to accelerate action, as preventable maternal and child deaths remain unacceptably high.
The Global Citizen Policy Dialogues reflected Japan's leadership in advancing global health and human security, and reinforced the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in addressing today's interconnected global challenges. In a special video address, the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Roger Cook announced Global Citizen NOW: Perth will take place on October 18–20, in the lead-up to COP31, which is co-hosted by the Australian Government. Inviting participants to Australia for the summit, he explained the conversations begun in Tokyo will translate into partnerships, investments, and commitments that deliver real-world impact on health and energy.
Global Citizen Live: Tokyo was produced in partnership with Action Network, with support from major partner MetLife Japan.
Since 2008, Global Citizen has grown into the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty, with more than $50 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms deployed around the world, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Artists who have performed at Global Citizen events globally include Beyoncé, Coldplay, BTS, BLACKPINK, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran and many more.
For more information and event highlights, visit Global Citizen, download the Global Citizen app and follow @glblctznjapan on Instagram.
###
About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday advocates raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the private sector. Since the movement began, more than $50 billion (almost almost ¥8 trillion) in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen operates in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, the UAE, and across Asia. Join the movement at globalcitizen.org, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
Contact
Japan:
globalcitizenjapan@webershandwick.com
International:
media@globalcitizen.org