Ricoh Imaging Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Yasutomo Mori) has collaborated with Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (Taito-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akihiro Kosaka; hereinafter referred to as “Tokyo Metro”) and 3i Corporation (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takumi Mishima; hereinafter referred to as “KuraCURA”) to sell a limited number of neck straps for single-lens reflex cameras made from seat fabric from retired Marunouchi Line 02 Series train cars.
This collaboration is being carried out in support of Tokyo Metro’s efforts to achieve a decarbonized, circular society, one of its key sustainability issues (materiality), and the philosophy of the Tokyo Metro Upcycle Project, which was launched with the idea of ”preserving the appearance of the retired 02-series rolling stock in another form.”
This fourth upcycling project sees the use of durable seat fabric for camera straps. With the cooperation of KuraCURA, a company that designs, manufactures, and sells camera strap accessories, the straps are sturdy and durable enough for interchangeable-lens cameras. The two products, made from standard and priority seat fabric, are carefully hand-sewn together one by one by artisans in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, after washing the seat fabric. The straps are also specially designed, incorporating sleeve badge tags and logos actually used on Tokyo Metro uniforms, along with an original woven label featuring the PENTAX logo.
At the time of initial planning, we had planned to produce 150 of each product through Ricoh Imaging’s sales channels, for a total of 300 units. However, we discovered that we could procure more material than expected from the seat fabric that was provided. As such, we decided to produce additional surplus fabric, as we felt that disposing of the excess fabric as leftover material would not be in line with the purpose of upcycling. The initial planned number of units will be sold primarily through Ricoh Imaging, and the additional production will be sold secondary through Tokyo Metro.
What is upcycling?
This is the process of effectively utilizing waste materials that would otherwise be discarded, adding value to them, and remaking them into new products. Unlike recycling, which involves partial decomposition or dissolution of materials, this method makes use of the materials as they are, which can lead to further cost and energy savings.
Overview
| Product name | Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 02 Series (Regular Seat (Red)) |
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 02 Series (Priority Seat (Blue)) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer’s |
9,280 yen (tax included) | 9,280 yen (tax included) |
*This product uses seat fabric that was actually used on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. Due to the nature of upcycled products, there will be individual differences in the seat pattern and fabric condition, but please understand that no two are the same and each product is unique.
Main specifications
| Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 02 Series (Regular Seat (Red)) |
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 02 Series (Priority Seat (Blue)) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Compatible |
Single-lens camera with a strap |
|
| size | Width: 38mm *Neck | |
| Total length: 810mm *excluding the tip of the string Neck: 700mm |
||
Sales method and release date
- Ricoh Imaging Store , PENTAX Clubhouse (Number of tickets available: 150 regular seats (red), 150 priority seats (blue))
Application acceptance starts: February 6, 2026, 11:00 AM*After your order is placed, your items will be shipped in order. It may take some time for your order to arrive.
At the PENTAX Clubhouse, from Monday, February 2nd until the close of business on Friday, March 13th, along with the products, actual vehicle parts that were used (front destination displays, front operation displays, interior station name displays, and speed indicators) will be on display.
- Metro Commerce Metro canned food (planned sales quantity: 80 standard seats (red), 80 priority seats (blue))
Release date: February 16, 2026, 12:00 noon