Upcycled seat materials from the E3 Series Shinkansen and leather scraps from baseball gloves into commercial products

Mizuno, in collaboration with East Japan Railway Company Tohoku Branch and JR East Tohoku General Services Co., Ltd., has planned a line of sustainable lifestyle goods by combining seat materials from the E3 Series Shinkansen with leather offcuts generated during the production of professional baseball gloves.
Note: Four types of items have been produced — pass cases, pouches, key cases, and coin purses.

The Shinkansen, which has supported people’s mobility, and the baseball glove, which has supported dreams and challenges, share a common trait — they both “stay close to people.” In this initiative, these two materials have been fused together and reborn as attractive lifestyle items for everyday use.

By upcycling materials that would otherwise be discarded, this product contributes to reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, as an initiative that preserves two iconic aspects of Japanese culture — railways and baseball — for future generations, it also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically “Responsible Consumption and Production” and “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.”

Mizuno has been engaged in environmental conservation activities for over 30 years since the 1990s, and aims to achieve carbon neutrality through its business operations by 2050. Moving forward, the company will continue to develop attractive upcycled products through co-creation with collaborative partners, contributing to the preservation of the global environment and the promotion of sustainability awareness.