Unveiling Ceremony Held at Ueno Station on the Ginza Line for the Station Name Sign Donated by Transport for London

Tokyo Metro (headquartered in Taito-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akihiro Kosaka, hereinafter 'Tokyo Metro') has received a station name sign in the local design from Transport for London, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of subway operations in December 2027. In response, today, an unveiling ceremony was held at Platform 2 of Ueno Station on the Ginza Line (bound for Asakusa), welcoming Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, who is currently visiting Japan.

On December 30, 1927, the Ueno–Asakusa section opened as Asia's first subway, and it will mark its 100th anniversary on December 30, 2027. This milestone traces back to Dejirō Hayakawa, founder of Tokyo Underground Railway Co., Ltd. (predecessor of Tokyo Metro), who visited London, UK, over 100 years ago and was deeply inspired by the advanced urban transportation system there. The London Underground can thus be regarded as the origin of Tokyo Metro.

Furthermore, Tokyo Metro, together with The Go-Ahead Group Limited and Sumitomo Corporation, has established GTS Rail Operations Limited, a joint venture company, through which it will begin operating the Elizabeth line in the UK from May 2025. The connection with the London Underground, which began over a century ago, has now evolved into a current business collaboration.

At today's unveiling ceremony, Mayor Khan and Tokyo Metro President Kosaka unveiled the station name sign together, followed by a commemorative photo session with Andy Lord, Commissioner of Transport for London, and staff from Tokyo Metro's Ueno Station.

The station name sign adopts the design actually used on the London Underground and features 'UENO (上野)', marking the section where Asia's first subway began operations. After today's ceremony, the sign will be temporarily removed, and installation preparations will proceed, with permanent installation planned for 2027 as a monument symbolizing the 100th anniversary of subway operations.

Tokyo Metro plans to launch various initiatives in 2027 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the subway. Please stay tuned.

Comment from Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London:

As Tokyo approaches the 100th anniversary of its subway, I am delighted that we can present Transport for London's station name sign to Ueno Station. The fact that the concept of the Ginza Line originated from the London Underground is profoundly meaningful. Today, Tokyo Metro operates one of the world's busiest urban rail networks and will soon operate our newest and most innovative Elizabeth line—symbolizing a full-circle relationship between our cities. We are delighted to continue cooperating and learning from each other as we build greener, better, and richer cities for all.

Comment from Andy Lord, Commissioner of Transport for London:

It is an honor to visit Tokyo Metro and contribute to the donation of a station name sign, similar to those widely used across London's transport network, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of subway operations in 2027. Our iconic roundel is globally recognized and cherished by all Londoners as a symbol of safety and trusted service. As both subways continue to serve millions of passengers daily, I look forward to visitors and commuters at Ueno Station being able to see this mark in the coming years.

Comment from Akihiro Kosaka, President and CEO of Tokyo Metro:

On the eve of Tokyo's subway reaching its 100th anniversary next year, it is a great honor to receive a station name sign from Transport for London, the operator of the London Underground—the origin of Tokyo's subway—and to jointly unveil it with Mayor Khan, who kindly traveled to Ueno. With another connection formed between London and our company following our involvement in the Elizabeth line operations from May 2025, it is truly joyful that customers using Ueno Station in the coming years will feel the bond between our company and the London Underground through this sign. We sincerely thank Mayor Sadiq Khan, Commissioner Andy Lord, and all related parties for their efforts in making this possible.