ACE NGO Launches "Child Labor Can Be Ended" Campaign for World Day Against Child Labor
A strategic 2026 campaign aiming to eliminate child labor by bridging consumer behavior and corporate responsibility, focusing on both global supply chains and domestic issues in Japan.
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- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 20:59
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The certified NPO ACE (Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Yuka Iwatsuki) has announced the launch of its "Child Labor Can Be Ended" campaign to coincide with the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12. The initiative aims to raise awareness and foster concrete actions to eliminate child labor globally.
According to 2025 estimates by the ILO and UNICEF, approximately 138 million children—or 1 in 13 worldwide—are engaged in child labor. About 60% of these cases occur in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, sectors deeply connected to daily products like cacao, coffee, cotton, and sugar. In Ghana, which provides 70% of Japan’s cacao imports, an estimated 770,000 children work on farms, meaning nearly 1 in 2 children in cacao-growing households are involved in labor.
The campaign also highlights issues within Japan, where "the worst forms of child labor," such as sexual exploitation and the use of minors in criminal activities (e.g., "dark part-time jobs"), remain serious concerns. ACE emphasizes that child labor is not merely a "distant country’s problem" but a systemic issue requiring a global response.
ACE points out that change is possible, citing the soccer ball industry in the 1990s as a success story where collaboration between NGOs, corporations, and international agencies nearly eliminated child labor. However, to meet the SDG Goal 8.7 of ending all forms of child labor by 2030, efforts must accelerate by 11 times the current pace.
Campaign Structure (June 1–30, 2026):
1. SNS Rights Quiz: Interactive quizzes on ACE’s official platforms to educate the public on child rights and the hidden links in consumption.
2. Crowdfunding for System Change: Funding initiatives that transform social structures in Ghana and promote child rights in Japan.
3. "Stop! Child Labor Campaign 2026": A public participation project where each SNS post featuring a "red card" and the hashtag #StopChildLabour triggers a 100 JPY donation from corporate sponsors. The goal is 13,800 actions, representing the 138 million children currently in labor.
ACE, established in 1997 following the Global March Against Child Labour, continues to work with governments and corporations to protect children's rights. The organization was the first international NGO to receive the Japan SDGs Award from the Prime Minister in 2023.
According to 2025 estimates by the ILO and UNICEF, approximately 138 million children—or 1 in 13 worldwide—are engaged in child labor. About 60% of these cases occur in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, sectors deeply connected to daily products like cacao, coffee, cotton, and sugar. In Ghana, which provides 70% of Japan’s cacao imports, an estimated 770,000 children work on farms, meaning nearly 1 in 2 children in cacao-growing households are involved in labor.
The campaign also highlights issues within Japan, where "the worst forms of child labor," such as sexual exploitation and the use of minors in criminal activities (e.g., "dark part-time jobs"), remain serious concerns. ACE emphasizes that child labor is not merely a "distant country’s problem" but a systemic issue requiring a global response.
ACE points out that change is possible, citing the soccer ball industry in the 1990s as a success story where collaboration between NGOs, corporations, and international agencies nearly eliminated child labor. However, to meet the SDG Goal 8.7 of ending all forms of child labor by 2030, efforts must accelerate by 11 times the current pace.
Campaign Structure (June 1–30, 2026):
1. SNS Rights Quiz: Interactive quizzes on ACE’s official platforms to educate the public on child rights and the hidden links in consumption.
2. Crowdfunding for System Change: Funding initiatives that transform social structures in Ghana and promote child rights in Japan.
3. "Stop! Child Labor Campaign 2026": A public participation project where each SNS post featuring a "red card" and the hashtag #StopChildLabour triggers a 100 JPY donation from corporate sponsors. The goal is 13,800 actions, representing the 138 million children currently in labor.
ACE, established in 1997 following the Global March Against Child Labour, continues to work with governments and corporations to protect children's rights. The organization was the first international NGO to receive the Japan SDGs Award from the Prime Minister in 2023.
FAQ
What is the primary goal of the 'Child Labor Can Be Ended' campaign?
The campaign aims to create opportunities for citizens to understand the systemic causes of child labor and participate in actions like social media advocacy and crowdfunding to drive long-term social change.
How can individuals participate in the donation process without direct payment?
By participating in the 'Stop! Child Labor Campaign 2026' on SNS, users can post photos with the hashtag #StopChildLabour. Corporate sponsors will then donate 100 JPY per action to support NGO activities.
Is child labor only an issue in developing nations?
No. The campaign highlights that child labor exists in Japan in forms such as sexual exploitation and the recruitment of youth for dangerous or illegal activities, emphasizing that child rights protection is a domestic priority as well.