Keisuke Honda's 4v4 Japan Cup 2025 Finals Set for Toyota Arena Tokyo on December 25

Former Japan international Keisuke Honda has announced that the annual "4v4 Japan Cup 2025" children's soccer tournament will culminate with its finals at Toyota Arena Tokyo on December 25. The event, which aims to crown Japan's top young football talent, will also feature special appearances by legendary players and various youth performers, promising an exciting conclusion to the nationwide competition.

The tournament, a brainchild of Honda, emphasizes a unique 4-on-4 format for children aged 10 and under, encouraging independent decision-making and strategic thinking on the field without direct coaching intervention. This approach is designed to foster self-reliance and creativity among young athletes, moving away from a win-at-all-costs mentality often seen in junior sports. Regional qualifiers have been held across the country, with group stages for the Japan Cup 2025 scheduled for December 20-21 at ZOZOPARK HONDA Football Area in Chiba.

Adding to the spectacle, the finals will host exhibition matches involving former Japan national team players, referred to as "legends," and a special team led by Keisuke Honda himself, which will face off against the tournament champions. The event also incorporates entertainment elements, including "kids performers" and a "Pokémon" collaboration campaign titled "Aim for the JAPAN CUP! Challenge Your Rival Team," which runs throughout November.

Honda expressed his enthusiasm for the event on social media, stating, "> 恒例のイベントが今年も始まります！子供らの日本一を決めます。⚽️他キッズパフォーマーも来ます。レジェンドらも来てくれます。今年はトヨタアリーナでやります。お楽しみに。(The annual event begins again this year! We will decide Japan's best children. Soccer. Other kid performers will also come. Legends will also come. This year it will be held at Toyota Arena. Look forward to it.)" His initiative reflects a broader commitment to youth development, aiming to inspire the next generation of footballers through engaging and educational experiences.