To contribute to regional vitalization

One of the ways Mazda Technical College contributes to the community is by investigating familiar community problems and building on the results to contribute to regional vitalization. Students canvass the opinions of local residents, identify community concerns, and seek solutions. In FY2010, eight teams worked on eight issues including preservation of Deai Shimizu (a natural spring in Hiroshima Prefecture), reduction of automobile theft, and prevention of littering.

Although it is listed as one of Japan's "100 remarkable waters," the Deai Shimizu spring is suffering from deteriorating water quality. The team focusing on this issue, with the cooperation of a local neighborhood association, did cleanup work on four occasions and strengthened bonds with the people of the community. The neighborhood association launched the Committee to Protect Deai Shimizu and is engaged in ongoing preservation activities.

To support children's education by offering a chance to observe an industrial process

Children in the fifth grade of elementary school study Japan's automotive industry in their social studies classes, and since 1996, Mazda has provided them with a fascinating learning opportunity by holding events where they can observe the loading of vehicles onto ships. The event makes effective use of the fact that the plant and dedicated docks are located on the Mazda Head Office premises. Each year, many participants gather to see vehicles loaded onto large-scale dedicated car carriers, a sight they cannot see ordinarily. In FY2010, the event was held in late July during students' summer vacation, and a total of 78 people, composed of children ranging from fourth grade to junior high school and their parents and guardians, observed the vehicle-loading process.

Participants were impressed with the way vehicles were packed into the large, 5,000-vehicle-capacity ship with a high degree of precision, with only about 30 centimeters separating them at the front and back and about 10 centimeters at the sides. In conjunction with this event, an observation tour was held at the Mazda Museum, giving visitors a chance to see the entire process from manufacturing to shipping at close hand.

To provide support for local education via training for elementary school teachers

For the benefit of teachers of fifth-grade classes learning about Japan's auto manufacturing industry, since 1999 Mazda has presented these seminars in response to requests from teachers seeking a deeper understanding of the automotive industry. In FY2010, Mazda held a training seminar in August, and 25 elementary school teachers from Hiroshima Prefecture took part. In addition to touring the Mazda Museum and press and chassis plants, participants experienced aluminum plate metalworking hands-on through the process of making dustpans, and increased their understanding of manufacturing operations.

To foster the next generation of children, who will uphold the future, through hands-on manufacturing experiences

With the goal of encouraging children to think and dream about the automotive society of the future and discover the joy of creating things, Mazda offers hands-on manufacturing experiences at its Hiroshima Plant and Hofu Plant.

At the Hiroshima Plant, a summer holiday study session for parents and children has been held since 2007 in conjunction with the city of Hiroshima. In FY2010, the session was held in August, with a total of 50 participants, including children ranging from fifth grade through junior high school and their parents and guardians. They toured the Mazda Museum, visited the WorldSkills Competition training ground, viewed welding robots and other facilities, and then tried their hands at aluminum plate metalworking, making dustpans alongside competitors in the WorldSkills Competition.

The Hofu Plant has conducted hands-on manufacturing tours since FY2009, and in FY2010 hosted 11 tours during spring vacation. There were three courses, covering the topics of "welding," "painting" and "assembly," and events included a live piano performance by a welding robot (welding), creation of an original plate made by spraying color from a paint gun (painting), and hands-on experience with attaching doors (assembly). There was also a plant tour. A total of 540 people (elementary school students and their guardians) were able to see the manufacturing facilities firsthand.

To contribute to promotion of sports, propagation of various sporting activities, and elevation of athletic ability

Mazda supports in-house sporting activities, including a track and field team (founded 1993), rugby squad (1963) and volleyball team (1980), which are collectively nicknamed the Blue Zoomers. In response to requests from local governments and athletic organizations, active Blue Zoomers athletes have been leading mobile sports-coaching classrooms for more than 10 years. In FY2010, 14 sessions were held, including track and field lessons, rugby clinics, and volleyball lessons. A total of 1,500 people, primarily elementary and junior high school students from Hiroshima Prefecture, received coaching from current Blue Zoomers members. Participants gave positive feedback such as "coaching from currently active athletes was very specific, detailed and easy to understand."

To communicate the joy of automobiles to children

In November 2010, children residing at child welfare institutions in Yokohama and Kawasaki cities were invited to Mazda R&D Center Yokohama (MRY) for an event that conveys the excitement of cars and driving. This community event has been held since 2007 with the cooperation of participating Mazda Roadster owners. Children took part in activities such as riding in the Roadster with the top down, and playing games that are fun for all ages. Children who attended expressed their gratitude and gave feedback such as, "When I grow up, I want to drive a Roadster."

To interact with children in orphanages

Mazda and owners of Mazda vehicles take part in the "Santa Project" for children in orphanages in Yokohama City. This project was launched jointly by corporations and organizations primarily in Kanagawa Prefecture. In FY2010, approximately 300 volunteers joined in the activities.

In December 2010, with the cooperation of 32 Mazda owners who responded to requests for participation, Mazda Roadster and Demio vehicles were decked out with Christmas decorations, and drivers and passengers changed into Santa Claus and reindeer costumes. Participants were split into "driving Santa" and "visiting Santa" teams. The driving Santas took passengers from the Yokohoma City Foster Parents Association on a drive from Minato Mirai 21 to Yamashita Park. The visiting Santas loaded their cars with presents and paid visits to four orphanages in Yokohama City. Approximately 100 children were handed presents individually and enjoyed activities such as balloon art and singing Christmas songs.

To boost children's interest in science and manufacturing

Mazda participated in the Kids Engineer 2010 event, the third time the event has been held (hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan at the Pacifico Yokohama venue). A total of 160 children took part in eight sessions of the educational program.

The Mazda theme was "Kids' Lab: Mysteries of Air." A team of four instructors, primarily made up of young Mazda R&D Center Yokohama (MRY) researchers, explained properties of air such as weight and resistance, illustrated by experiments. They also explained the relationship between air and automotive design. Children avidly took part in experiments and reacted with surprise and awe at results that differed from their expectations. Instructors and children enjoyed the hands-on learning experience.

To promote international exchange

The Mazda / YFU Scholarship Program is an exchange and home stay program for high school students that has been conducted jointly since 1984 by Mazda Foundation USA and US-based international exchange foundation YFU (Youth For Understanding). Every summer, 10 American high school students stay for six weeks with Japanese host families and attend Japanese schools, gaining firsthand experience with the Japanese lifestyle and culture. In addition to Mazda employees volunteering as home stay hosts, during their stay the Company invites students and their host families to the Head Office for a day of Summer Activities including a discussion with top management and hands-on experiences with car manufacturing.