Participation in the SIP symposium on the “Development of a Circular Economy System” held at the Menicon Theater Aoi and the release of the concept movie for the “1Case Project”

A scene from the symposium

Menicon Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 21-19, Aoi 3, Naka-ku, Nagoya; Director, President and CEO: Koji Kawaura) participated in the 3rd open symposium on the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)¹⁾ for the “Development of Circular Economy System”²⁾ led by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, which was held on January 30, 2026, at the Menicon Theater Aoi, and introduced the “1Case Project,”³⁾ which is a company-led initiative aimed at promoting resource circularity. Menicon also released a video themed around the collection of contact lens cases promoted through this project.

In 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for an ELV Regulation specifying the “mandatory use of 15% recycled plastics in new vehicle production within six years of the regulation’s entry into force and 25% within ten years.”⁴⁾ Similarly, regulations are being developed for the use of post-consumer recycled materials in various products. High-quality recycled materials and used plastics as material sources are now required not only for environmental protection but also for sustainable economic development; however, used plastics for use as sources of high-quality recycled materials are in short supply. To meet these social needs, the “Development of a Circular Economy System” was launched in the third term of SIP led by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
Given this background, Menicon joined the “Development of Circular Economy System” in the third term of SIP on April 1, 2024, and has since promoted research on scientific, evidence-based recycling for plastics used in the process of contact lens production and distribution. As part of these efforts, we launched the “1Case Project” in October 2024 with the aim of collecting used disposable contact lens cases for use in recycled materials.

In the open symposium titled “Co-creation of the Future of the Circular Economy - Extended Use of Recycled Plastics in Vehicles and Home Appliances -,” the vehicle and home appliance components manufactured from used plastics from various sources were displayed, among which were vehicle components made from used plastics provided by Menicon.
President Koji Kawaura gave a keynote speech titled “Menicon’s Initiative - Resource Circularity Starting from Contact Lenses -” in which he presented our expectations based on sustainability policy and our awareness of challenges from a management standpoint.
In addition, Eri Ito, the company representative for sub-projects (General Director of Co-Creation Strategy Department at Menicon, Specially Appointed Professor of Tohoku University, Director of the Menicon x Tohoku University Co-creation Research Center for Miru Mirai), explained our research to be conducted this term, particularly on the regenerative technology to handle a mix of different brand contact lens cases collected, and our efforts to address the issue of foreign matter contamination during collection.

While the amount of used disposable contact lens cases collected through the “1Case Project” continues to increase steadily, ensuring the quality of recycled materials remains a challenge with foreign matter contamination occurring in some cases. Under these circumstances, Menicon created a concept movie for the “1Case Project” focusing on the problems caused by foreign matter contamination to pursue ideal resource circularity, and presented it at the symposium. We have also started sociological research on the improvement in collection quality by using this video in some Menicon Group “Miru” stores and will further expand this approach in the future.
To promote the use of these limited resources, Menicon is committed to driving resource circularity through the “1Case Project.” We are progressively installing used contact lens case collection boxes in all Menicon Group “Miru” stores, as well as in eye clinics, public facilities, general companies, shopping malls, and schools.

Menicon will promote this effort to ensure the essential utilization of plastics. This initiative will serve as a driving force to support social transformation.

 ■ 1Case Project concept movie
URL:https://youtu.be/-DUmHqeseWM

1)Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP):
https://www.erca.go.jp/sip/english/index.html
2）Development of Circular Economy System: https://www.sip.go.jp/sip/10.html
3）1Case Project:
■ Subject: Used disposable contact lens cases (irrespective of manufacturer)
■ Collection sites: Menicon Group “Miru” stores and other locations
■ Special website: https://www.menicon.co.jp/campaign/1casepj/

“1Case Project” collection box

4）Proposal for an ELV Regulation:
Proposal for a Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles (Brussles,13.7.2023)

About a provisional agreement
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/12/12/circular-economy-council-and-parliament-strike-deal-on-rules-for-vehicle-circularity-and-management-of-end-of-life-vehicles/

■ About Menicon x Tohoku University Co-Creation Research Center for Miru Mirai
https://www.ggi.tohoku.ac.jp/greenxtech/mfd-lab/
https://www.menicon.com/corporate/news/announcement-of-the-establishment-of-menicon-tohoku-university-co-creation-research-center-for-miru-mirai

■ About Menicon Group “Miru” stores
“Miru” is a brand name of stores encompassing company-operated stores Menicon Miru, Miru+, Fuji Contact, and the Menicon Group contact lens sales chain stores Ace Contact, City Contact, and Hamano Contact. With “a focus on ‘Miru (seeing)’” as the brand concept, more than 170 stores nationwide support the eye life of customers.