NEWS RELEASES
Environment and CSR
Mazda Joins The Valuable 500,
International Initiative to Promote Disability Inclusion
HIROSHIMA, Japan - Mazda Motor Corporation joined The Valuable 500, an international initiative to promote active inclusion of people with disabilities.
The Valuable 500, launched at the World Economic Forum's Annual General Meeting in January 2019, aims to inspire business leaders to make changes for disability inclusion that will enable people with disabilities to realize their potential values in the areas of business, society and economy. In support of this aim, Mazda has established the following commitments to promote and strengthen its efforts.
Mazda's Corporate Vision
Mazda's Corporate Vision states that we brighten people's lives through car ownership. We aim to brighten lives of all car lovers including people with disabilities. We will continue to tackle challenges with creative ideas and offer cars that provide driving pleasure and help people lead fulfilling lives.
Employment and empowerment of people with disabilities
We strive to create opportunities for people with disabilities to play an active role in our business. A principle we value is "Tomoiku” which means learning from and teaching each other. Based on this principle, we are committed to a working environment where people respect each other and bring out each other's strengths. Making our workplaces and facilities barrier-free and assigning sign language interpreters also form part of our efforts to create an inclusive working environment where people with disabilities can perform to their full potential by supporting and learning from each other with non-disabled people
Products and services that consider the needs of people with disabilities
Cars provide opportunities for people to travel freely wherever they want. We will continue to support people with disabilities to live independent daily and social lives and contribute to the creation of a society in which everyone can participate equally.
For example in 1995, we were the first Japanese manufacturer to launch a wheelchair-accessible transport vehicle, but all this began before that, in 1961, with the release of an automatic drive model R360 Coupe. The car was born from the hopes of Mazda's former President, Tsuneji Matsuda, who lived with a disability in his left foot. We now have four models that cater for the needs of people with disabilities (rotating passenger seat vehicle, vehicle with lift-up passenger seat, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, and vehicle with hand control unit).
We also have plans to introduce a “Self-empowerment Driving Vehicle” version (equipped with adaptive equipment) of the MX-30 EV that was introduced in 2021, so that more people can experience the joy of driving. MX-30 is an electric vehicle recently introduced in Japan.
Mazda believes in the power of automobiles. We are committed to support people with disabilities to continue being an automotive company that assists everyone through our cars.
For further information about Mazda's CSR activities, you can read Mazda Sustainability Report:
https://www.mazda.com/en/csr/report/download/
■The Valuable 500:
https://www.thevaluable500.com/