In addition to legally prescribed health checkups for all employees, Mazda carries out comprehensive medical checkups covering a variety of areas for employees when they reach the ages of 30 and 35, and when they pass the age of 40. Based on the results of these health checkups, the Company also promotes health by offering guidance through Company doctors and nurses, and diet rallies*1 to combat obesity. Mazda is committed to taking every possible measure to protect employees' health.

In April 2003, Mazda initiated a system where Company doctors conduct interviews with employees who work more than a certain amount of overtime and nurses offer guidance to prevent potential sickness resulting from overwork.

In July 2007, Mazda started a No-Overtime Week system in which these employees are prohibited from working overtime and from working on holidays. The Company has introduced a health status check tool called the SEE Check, which comprises health checks of members by supervisors. It covers sleeping (Are you sleeping enough?), eating (Are you eating well?), and enjoyment (Are you finding time for hobbies and enjoying life?).

Mazda's mental health measures include the adoption of the Warm Heart Declaration in 2003, which provides for active cooperation between labor and management to promote employees' mental health. In addition, the Mazda Warm Heart Plan was formulated and is being implemented on an ongoing basis. Specifically, Mazda has developed a consultation system comprising a team of Company doctors (four full-time and one part-time mental health occupational physicians) and 26 public health nurses. The Company conducts ongoing seminars for managers, supervisors and other employees, as well as stress diagnoses known as "vitality checkups" to assess the condition of individuals and the organization, and support for employees who have taken time off to get back to work. This support system has been expanded throughout all Group companies in Japan, and the "vitality checkup" program was introduced at Mazda Engineering & Technology (Mazda E&T) in FY2010.

Mazda has set a long-term target of reducing the percentage of smokers in the Company to 27.0% or lower, aiming for a smoking rate* lower than that of European and North American countries that lead anti-smoking efforts. To this end, Mazda offers full individual support and promotes a nonsmoker friendly environment. Thanks to these efforts, smoking has seen a continuing decline at Mazda. Since 2003, Mazda has had a company-wide smoke-free day, which has been implemented once a month since FY2010. In addition, the Hofu Plant has undertaken a voluntary initiative, establishing one smoke-free day per week.

Mazda set 50% or more employees achieving 10,000 steps a day as a revised goal in FY2009, and in FY2010 the Company promoted walking through the "10,000-step Challenge" (with the goal of walking 10,000 steps a day), which is held two times per year for indirect employees. Mazda provides tools on the Company Intranet that help employees record their distances walked, thus increasing their interest in walking, in order to support improvements in employee health, and the Company has also established an in-house walking course. Furthermore, the Company promotes walking through the Eco-Walk Commuting Program (with allowance payment).

In April 2008, specific medical checkups and healthcare guidance became mandatory, and the Company has launched programs offering specific medical guidance (for both individuals and groups) by public health nurses and trainers. In FY2010, public health nurses and trainers provided individual guidance to 183 employees.

Starting in FY2009, a new type of healthy meal that is low calorie, low salt, and uses high-fiber ingredients, is being offered as a regular part of the Company lunch menu.

Mazda has independently developed and introduced performance safety tests and fun exercises to prevent falling accidents and protect aging employees in directly related departments. In comparisons between pre-introduction and post-introduction periods among employees 50 years of age or older, balance and alertness have improved. In indirectly related departments, "Zoom-Zoom Stretching Exercises" are being implemented to increase leg strength. They help workers to develop healthy bodies and prevent falling accidents.

As the labor pool ages, these initiatives are gaining attention in the occupational health field: research results have been presented at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States, and information on the initiatives has been provided to the Japan Safety & Health Association. In addition, a large number of inquiries are being received from both within Japan and overseas.

Mazda distributes copies of its Kenko Tsushin ("Health Bulletin"), offers e-mail consultations and provides traveling health consultations.