HIROSHIMA, Japan--In April 2006, Mazda Motor Corporation will introduce a new system of reemploying its retirees, called the "Family of Experts" system, in response to the Japanese government's revised Law Concerning Stabilization of Employment of Elder Persons. This new rehiring program will cover all Mazda employees who traditionally retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years old, and provides an opportunity for them to continue working. The "Family of Experts" system will commence in April 2006, and will be applicable to all retiring employees.

For some time, Mazda has been addressing the issue of how to pass on the techniques and technical skills that are at the core of automotive craftmanship to a new generation of workers. In 1991, Mazda inaugurated the Senior Family system, which was designed to promote the reemployment of retired technical workers engaged in automotive manufacturing. It also serves as the foundation for the new Family of Experts system, which is an expanded program that will cover all retiring employees, and is intended to be a flexible method of responding to human resources requirements throughout the company. Moreover, as specialists in the area where they are to be rehired, these valued employees will bring with them critical skills and experience that can help energize Mazda's corporate culture.

The Family of Experts system will apply to retiring employees from April 2006 onward, with candidates who want to continue working eligible from roughly 300 occupational descriptions. Successful applicants will be retired Mazda employees who can meet common and occupational description standards that define the required experience and competency for every job description. Essentially, these mature workers will be eligible to return to work on a full-time basis the day after their mandatory retirement, with the option of part-time work as needed, according to the employee's wishes. The employment contract will be one year in duration, and extended up to age 65 as the program evolves in the future. Mazda is considering the dispatch of rehired employees under this system to its affiliates and dealers in Japan and overseas, for a wider utilization of the guidance they can provide in technical and skills instruction throughout the Mazda group.

The advent of the Family of Experts structure will make possible the optimal matching of an employee's desire to work and the company's need for a system to impart technical skills to younger workers. Mazda is committed to further improvement of its technology and quality standards by arranging a working environment where each and every employee feels empowered, and by sponsoring opportunities for experienced workers--as specialists with hard-to-replace repositories of knowledge--to fully contribute to Mazda's future growth.