Be kind to our Earth - Zebra's environmental friendly Pens

At the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held in Yokohama in August 2025, two iconic Japanese brands—Zebra and Meiji—joined forces to showcase a groundbreaking fusion of design, sustainability, and global impact. Their collaboration centered around a unique commemorative item: the Zebra Sarasa Clip gel pen, crafted using cacao bioplastic derived from upcycled cacao seed husks provided by Meiji.

This eco-conscious writing instrument wasn’t just a nod to innovation—it was a symbol of cross-industry partnership and commitment to sustainable development in Africa. The pen, engraved with “TICAD9 YOKOHAMA 2025” and “Be ReBORN CACAO,” carried not only Zebra’s signature smooth ink flow but also the subtle aroma of cacao, offering a sensory reminder of the pen’s origins.

Meiji’s contribution extended beyond materials. At the TICAD Business Expo, the company unveiled its latest advancements in cacao-based products, including Cacao Ceramide-infused chocolates aimed at promoting beauty from within. These initiatives reflect Meiji’s long-standing dedication to supporting sustainable cacao farming in Africa, addressing environmental challenges and empowering local communities through its “Meiji Cacao Support” program.

Together, Zebra and Meiji demonstrated how thoughtful design and ethical sourcing can converge to create products that are not only functional and beautiful, but also deeply meaningful. Their presence at TICAD9 exemplified Japan’s role in co-creating innovative solutions with Africa—one pen, one chocolate, one partnership at a time.