HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today held an “Entrance Ceremony” to welcome new employees who will join the company in fiscal year (FY) 2008 at its Hiroshima headquarters in Japan. Taking part in the ceremony were 924 new employees, comprising 300 engineering, 67 clerical, 526 manufacturing and 31 medical/other staff. Mazda’s chairman of the Board, president and CEO, Hisakazu Imaki, attended the ceremony together with approximately 200 employees, including all Mazda’s executive officers, representatives from the Mazda Workers’ Union and each department, and junior employees.

President Imaki addressed the attendees, saying, “The automotive industry is going through a period of incredible change with intensified competition on a global scale. In this environment, external factors such as exchange rates and the soaring price of crude oil are also having a significant impact on our business. In order for Mazda to maintain its current rate of growth, it is vital for all of our staff around the world to work together as a team and, at the same time, leverage their individual talents to forge a bright future. At Mazda, we call these ideas ‘One Mazda’ and ‘Self Initiation.’ We are reinforcing the importance of these concepts throughout the company.

“‘One Mazda’ involves thinking about what we can do in our work to benefit the Mazda Group as a global entity. ‘Self Initiation’ means working hard, thinking for yourself, and always aiming for improvement instead of being satisfied with the status quo,” Imaki continued. “I would like everyone joining Mazda today to focus on these two approaches. Together we will ensure Mazda’s growth and steadily drive our business forward. As we welcome you here today and ask you to make your mark on Mazda’s ongoing history of manufacturing, I am filled with hope for our future endeavors.”

Mazda’s entrance ceremony takes a unique format. New employees are invited to join executive officers, managers and junior employees in small groups for an open discussion. Each recruit is also asked to make a “declaration of intent” to their group. This process helps the new employees feel they are taking an active role in the ceremony, and gives them a chance to share their visions and hopes for their future with the company. Mazda has long valued “communication between employees that transcends boundaries of rank,” and has adopted this approach for its new employee entrance ceremony since FY2002.

Summary of the FY2008 new employee entrance ceremony
1. Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 9:30 - 10:40
2. Venue: Mazda Motor Corporation gymnasium (Hiroshima, Japan)
3. Breakdown of new employees: