Mazda opens R&D center in Tokyo

The Japanese carmaker Mazda says its new R&D office will help strengthen the development of software for 'intelligent vehicles'. The company is also planning to move its operations from its previous Tokyo office to the centre, which is located in Azabudai Hills.

Currently, Mazda’s other Tokyo office handles sales, marketing, procurement and human resources, but is being moved to the new MRT (‘Mazda R&D Center Tokyo’) so that all business functions will be located under one roof. Workspaces are reportedly separated between the developers and the existing Tokyo office staff, with a shared discussion area.

The 3000+ sq. meter site is intended to offer a ‘comfortable working environment’ for software developers, and attract young talent. To this end, Mazda says it plans to intensify recruitment efforts via Tokyo universities, companies and research institutions.

Noriyuki Takimura, executive comms officer for Mazda in the Greater Tokyo Area, said: “Mazda believes that people are the most important capital of Mazda, and we are promoting initiatives to maximize the activities of human resources, and this new initiative is part of those efforts. Azabudai has long been a center of diplomacy, but it is also an area that continues to evolve. Mazda, too, hopes to continue to be the brand of choice by delivering uplifting experiences to all those involved with Mazda from the new location.”

With annual sales of around 1.3 million cars worldwide in the previous fiscal year (2024), Mazda is one of Japan’s smaller automakers. Despite the fact that Toyota holdsd around five percent of Mazda Motor Corporation, it’s considered to be an independent company and has over 300 other shareholders. Apart from a few collaborations, Mazda typically develops most of its technologies itself. With the launch of the Mazda EZ-6 electric sedan, the firm has introduced a new generation of software and operating logic in collaboration with its partner Changan in China. This is visible in the EZ-6’s dashboard, which features a 14.6-inch touchscreen that controls all key vehicle systems.

mazda.com