HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that Seita Kanai, Mazda's Representative Director and Executive Vice President, has been made the Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States in Hiroshima. Representing the Government of Mexico at the inauguration ceremony held today in Hiroshima city, the Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Japan, Mr. Claude Heller presented Kanai with a letter of appointment.

Regarding his appointment, Kanai said, "Mazda is constructing a plant in Mexico, with the aim to start operations by the end of fiscal year ending March 2014. The importance of this plant to Mazda cannot be overstated. As an Honorary Consul of the United Mexican States I will do my best to enhance and support relations between Mexico and my area of jurisdiction in the realms of industry, tourism and culture. In doing so, I hope to contribute to the faithful and friendly relationship between Mexico and Japan."

Upon Kanai's appointment to the role, the Honorary Consulate of the United Mexican States in Hiroshima was established at Mazda headquarters in Hiroshima. Its role is to support activities of cultural and economic exchange between Mexico and the Consulate's area of jurisdiction which encompasses the Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures of Japan.