Mazda began publishing Mazda Tanshin in 1995, to introduce a wide range of people in the region to Mazda's social-contribution activities, products and business operations. Today, Mazda Tanshin boasts a circulation of 28,000 copies.
To provide support for environmental education at elementary schools
In response to requests from elementary schools in Hiroshima City, Mazda began holding classes on the environment for elementary school students from 2009. In FY2010, classes were held at elementary schools and community centers (12 locations in all), and students were given easily understandable explanations of automobile-related environmental issues and Mazda's environmental initiatives, as well as a demonstration of a hydrogen rotary engine vehicle. Employees were also dispatched to junior high schools, high schools, and universities to teach classes and lecture on the environment.
To promote children's education and community interaction
The Mazda Museum at the Hiroshima Head Office has welcomed some 1.15 million visitors through its doors since its opening in 1994. The Museum offers exhibitions of Mazda's history, manufacturing processes and concept cars. In addition, tours of Mazda's assembly line are provided, helping to augment social studies curriculums in elementary and junior high schools. Tours of the Hofu Plant and Miyoshi Plant are provided as well, and a total of approximately 70,000 visitors toured the three plants in FY2010.
To contribute to community traffic safety by opening the proving ground as a venue
Mazda's Mine Proving Ground in Yamaguchi Prefecture features a 3.33-kilometer circuit, which was used in cooperation with a Yamaguchi Prefectural Police traffic safety training program. This training program was undertaken seven times at the Mine Proving Ground in light of the upcoming National Sports Festival of Japan, which will be held in 2011 in Yamaguchi Prefecture for the first time in 48 years, and a total of 118 police officers took part.
To contribute to the strengthening of the community's educational infrastructure as a corporate educational facility, and to support young people's career advancement and the development of teachers
Since FY2009, the Mazda Technical College has conducted an open college program. In FY2010, in order to offer the benefits of practical training to a wider range of people, eligibility for program participation was expanded from employees of Group companies and suppliers to also include teachers in technical high schools in Hiroshima Prefecture. A total of 32 people attended practical and lecture classes.
To promote interaction with communities by opening plant grounds for events
Mazda opens the grounds of its plants and other facilities for events, welcoming members of the community and promoting interaction. In May 2010, the Hofu Plant grounds were opened to the public for the Mazda Festival in Yamaguchi, an event for the whole community. The event included a bus tour of the plant periphery, on-stage performances, a bazaar and food stalls. Approximately 6,700 people attended, including Mazda Group employees, employees' families, and members of the community.
Community development that makes use of Mazda Stadium
Mazda acquired the naming rights for the Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium (now known as Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima), and publicizes both the Company and the city of Hiroshima while conducting social contribution activities through support for the stadium.
- Mazda purchases green electricity for use in the lighting of night games at the stadium. Each year, 136,000 kWh of green electricity is used, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 92 tons.
- For each one million stadium visitors, Mazda donates one Mazda vehicle designed for special needs to a social welfare organization. In April 2010, the cumulative number of visitors reached two million, and in August topped three million. Vehicles were donated accordingly.
To make a contribution to the community using the expertise and skills of Mazda employees
The Mazda Specialist Bank is an organization in which current and former employees of the Mazda Group with specialist knowledge and abilities and skills, as well as specialized talents and unique interests built up over many years, are registered and are dispatched in response to requests from local communities. This organization got its start in 1994 as a human resources bank to supply personnel needed to assist with the Hiroshima Asian Games. Specialists' activities range from delivering lectures at schools and putting on magic shows at community events to providing sports and recreation leadership. In FY2010, a total of 137 specialists were dispatched to 117 community or school events in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectures.
To contribute to development of human resources in communities
Based on requests from universities and local governments, Mazda holds lectures and seminars on CSR initiatives, environmental technologies and other topics.
In FY2010, 37 events were held in all, including lectures on topics such as specialized automotive technologies and R&D, and seminars on CSR initiatives, primarily at universities in Hiroshima Prefecture. Mazda plans to continue these activities to contribute to development of human resources in communities and deepen public understanding of the automotive industry's environmental initiatives.
To contribute to the preservation of biodiversity
In Yokohama City, the Keihin Afforestation Project has been carried out since 2005, aiming to increase and utilize green space on corporate properties or facilities open to the public in the Keihin district (Tokyo-Yokohama) through joint efforts by corporations, residents and local governments. Mazda has joined the project and is cooperating in restoration of natural habitats and planting of greenery. In June 2009, Mazda R&D Center Yokohama (MRY) transplanted indigenous wild water plants to create a biotope based in a pond on the premises. In June 2010, six people worked to plant additional water plants and expand the biotope
To contribute to biodiversity, coexistence with the local community and participation in community activities
Mazda R&D Center Yokohama (MRY) has been participating in a collaborative forum implemented by corporations, residents, and specialists, entitled "How Far Does a Dragonfly Fly?" MRY has been conducting surveys since 2004 of dragonflies caught around the pond or in green space on the premises, tracking their species, conditions of arrival and travel between survey points. In FY2010, a total of 14 people took part in a three-day study in August of dragonfly flight patterns. Henceforth, the biotope will be available for nearby elementary school students' integrated learning activities and be otherwise put to use to foster harmonious coexistence with the local community and contribute to community activities.
