Honjo Higashi Junior High to Launch Saitama’s First School-Designated Sunglasses

Honjo Higashi Junior High School, affiliated with Honjo Higashi High School, will begin selling school-designated sunglasses on May 15, 2026, in partnership with eyewear brand Zoff, operated by Intermestic Inc., and school uniform manufacturer Akashi School Uniform Company. The initiative aims to protect students’ eyes from strong sunlight and ultraviolet rays during school life, marking the first such program in Saitama Prefecture. The school decided to introduce designated sunglasses as part of its efforts to create a healthy learning environment for students. Teachers selected the frame and lens combinations with consideration for harmony with the school uniform and ease of use in daily student life. The chosen 20% tint lenses, including Indigo Navy and Iris Violet, allow facial expressions around the eyes to remain visible while being suitable for everyday use. Students will be permitted to wear the designated sunglasses while commuting and during outdoor activities, encouraging them to think proactively about their own health. The product lineup was selected from multiple Zoff frames and lenses, reflecting student feedback while teachers made the final choices. The lineup consists of eight combinations: four frame types paired with 20% tint lenses in Iris Violet, Indigo Navy, Ash Beige, and Cobalt Blue. The 20% tint blends naturally into student life and does not interfere with cycling to school at night, making it an acceptable option from a safety perspective. Before sales begin, the school held an outreach class on eye health and UV protection, giving students an opportunity to learn about the impact of ultraviolet rays on the eyes and why protective measures are needed in student life. Shinichiro Shimada, vice principal of Honjo Higashi Junior High School, said the school had previously allowed third-year students to wear UV-protection sunglasses during their Australia completion training program, but rising UV levels in recent years made daily protection necessary. After hearing about the project by Zoff and Akashi School Uniform Company, the school decided to introduce sunglasses that can be used both inside and outside school. He said the school hopes students will see sunglasses as an essential item for maintaining health and that the school will support students from both learning and health perspectives. Ikuko Kojima of Akashi School Uniform Company’s Planning Department said glasses are important items for protecting the eyes, and protecting children’s health is also one of the company’s key missions. She noted that Zoff’s sunglasses allow facial expressions to be clearly seen and are easy to coordinate with uniforms. She hopes the initiative will spread further and help protect the eye health of more students nationwide. Zoff sees the lack of sufficient protection for children’s eyes, despite daily exposure to ultraviolet rays, as an important social issue. Through collaboration with junior and senior high schools across Japan, Zoff aims to establish sunglasses not as something special, but as a health-protecting habit. By positioning sunglasses as part of the uniform, which is closest to students’ daily lives, the company believes adoption can happen more naturally. The initiative was also made possible through cooperation with Akashi School Uniform Company, which has long worked closely with schools as a uniform manufacturer. Based on the idea that uniforms are important educational tools for children, the company has also promoted functional and environmentally conscious materials in recent years. Through dialogue between the two companies, they developed a form of adoption suited to educational settings and sunglasses that are easy to use every day. To make purchasing easier and more reassuring, Zoff will open a school-specific sales page where students and parents can buy the sunglasses when needed. Only models selected by the school will be listed, making the choice simple. Prescription lenses and other individual needs will also be supported, allowing students who normally wear glasses to use the products with confidence. Maintenance such as fit adjustments and cleaning will be available at Zoff stores nationwide. Zoff is currently conducting sales trials at more than a dozen schools across Japan, working with each school to verify appropriate ways to introduce sunglasses into school life. Going forward, Zoff will continue collaborating with educational institutions and partner companies to promote environments that protect children’s eye health, aiming for a future where sunglasses are a normal part of school life.