Hit-and-Run Incident Within Mazda Headquarters Site

June 22, 2010.
At approximately 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, a hit-and run incident occurred within the headquarters compound of Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan. As a result of the incident, one Mazda employee died and 10 others were injured.

We at Mazda deeply regret the loss of one of our employees, and extend our sincerest condolences to his family. We also wish a swift and full recovery to those employees who were injured.

It is highly regrettable that this kind of incident has happened within the company grounds. Mazda will continue to give its full cooperation to the police investigation in order to clarify the facts of what transpired. Going forward, we will consider various measures that can be taken within the company to prevent such a tragic incident from reoccurring.

Overview of the hit-and-run incident.
The suspect entered Mazda’s East Gate (located in the Ujina-Higashi district in Minami-ward, Hiroshima city) at approximately 7:35 a.m. (Japan Standard Time). He then drove through the company grounds, hitting eleven Mazda employees before exiting at the North Gate (located in Fuchu-Cho, adjacent to Hiroshima city).

Mazda was informed by the Hiroshima Prefectural Police that a suspect had been arrested at 8:23 a.m.

(source: Mazda)