TOKYO, Feb 28, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has developed vRAN that supports the interfaces and components newly specified by the O-RAN Alliance for enhancing the security of Open vRAN. The NEC vRAN platform is now being used to verify the performance of SecureRAN (*) provided by CTOne, a subsidiary of Trend Micro, which also supports the specifications of the O-RAN Alliance.As cyberattacks targeting infrastructure providers and others become more sophisticated, measures to address security risks are becoming increasingly important. Open vRAN allows a variety of networks to be applied according to the deployment scenario of the telecommunications carrier, and while it offers a high degree of flexibility, it also requires measures to address threats to the network.In response to this, NEC is aiming to build and operate a safer and more secure network through the introduction and verification of SecureRAN for highly secure and flexible vRAN infrastructure.SecureRAN deploymentSecureRAN constantly references the latest threat information, and by responding immediately to vulnerabilities, it achieves advanced network monitoring and defense that covers the entire application layer of vRAN.NEC has been a member of the O-RAN Alliance since its inception, and has made important contributions to its activities for network openness and standardization.Specifically, NEC has developed highly secure Open vRAN by leveraging its expertise in conventional RAN construction, while also incorporating the O-RAN Alliance's interface components.Going forward, in order to further enhance the security of vRAN, NEC will verify the introduction of SecureRAN, with the aim of strengthening network infrastructure for customers and providing a safe and secure communications base.In addition, through the implementation of these verification tests, NEC will expand its support menu (introduction support, maintenance, operation support, etc.) for the commercial introduction of SecureRAN.(*)SecureRANSecureRAN is an O-RAN security solution developed and provided by CTOne, a subsidiary of Trend Micro. SecureRAN is designed to improve the effectiveness of security measures and ensure sustainable system deployment, providing robust security protection for critical O-RAN assets and AI-driven applications. https://tinyurl.com/3bckm8ry About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Mazda Motor Corporation's production and sales results for January 2025 are summarized below.I. Production1. Domestic ProductionMazda's domestic production volume in January 2025 increased 22.6% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.[Domestic production of key models in January 2025]CX-5:25,266 units(down 2.0% year on year)MAZDA3:8,479 units(up 33.5%)CX-30:6,571 units(up 6.8%)2. Overseas ProductionMazda's overseas production volume in January 2025 increased 6.4% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.[Overseas production of key models in January 2025]CX-30:14,079 units(down 1.3% year on year)CX-50:10,059 units(up 39.6%)MAZDA3:4,916 units(down 40.3%)II. Domestic SalesMazda's domestic sales volume in January 2025 increased 23.9% year on year due to increased sales of passenger vehicles.Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 4.1% (up 0.8 points year on year), with a 2.4% share of the micro-mini segment (down 0.4 points), and a 3.4% total market share (up 0.3 points).[Domestic sales of key models in January 2025]CX-5:2,339 units(up 116.4% year on year)MAZDA2:2,120 units(up 31.0%)CX-80:1,253 units III. ExportsMazda's export volume in January 2025 increased 14.3% year on year due to increased shipments to North America and other regions.[Exports of key models in January 2025]CX-5:21,848 units(down 4.8% year on year)MAZDA3:6,820 units(up 48.4%)CX-90:5,644 units(up 225.3%)IV. Global SalesMazda's global sales volume in January 2025 increased 1.5% year on year due to increased sales in the U.S., Japan, and other regions.[Global sales of key models in January 2025]CX-5:26,949 units(up 1.0% year on year)CX-30:17,465 units(down 0.3%)MAZDA3:13,090 units(down 28.0%)* Overseas production figures indicate Mazda-brand units coming off the production line (excluding CKD units).* Global production figures are the sum total of domestic and overseas production volumes.* All information in this press release is as of the release date. No updates after that date are reflected. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 27, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has announced that it has submitted a progress report on measures to prevent recurrence of model certification application issues to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) today in light of the correction order the ministry issued on July 31. This report, summarizing actions taken to date, is the second of a series of quarterly reports.Specific progress of recurrence prevention measuresWith the three pillars of "Strengthening Foundations," "Monozukuri," and "Human Development," Toyota has been promoting a review of the structure and system to ensure that each employee is aware of legal compliance and is able to do the job correctly. The company is also promoting onsite management, in which management goes to the genba and promptly takes appropriate action in response to abnormalities.The following concrete actions are being promoted across the Group with set priorities and activity plans.Strengthening FoundationsManagement visiting the operational genba to identify problems and make immediate decisions on how to deal with them.Management grasping staff hardships and efforts at the genba and discussing what it should do at weekly executive-level meetings related to certification.Enhancing internal controls by reinforcing abnormality management in the vehicle development process, strengthening certification operations audits by in-house inspectors, and introducing secondary audits of the abnormality management and auditing operations themselves.Checking the actual genba conditions of certification-related departments, allocating human resources and testing equipment to the Regulations and Certification Department and the Collision Testing Fields, etc.MonozukuriImplemented a new operational approach to ongoing development projects, incorporating measures to prevent recurrence in October 2024.Introduced a system to check the impact on certification operations at each milestone and make management decisions on the impact on certification operations, including the applicable laws and regulations, the scale of certification operations, the certification schedule, and the number of vehicles to be certified, for all vehicle development projects. (As of February 2025, a total of 35 such projects are being conducted.)Implemented discussions on countermeasures for worksite issues 10 times since previous report (22 times in total), reporting to the Board of Directors as appropriate. This system is ongoing.Human DevelopmentExpanding communication between management and employees to include not only development and certification, but also planning, production, sales and other certification-related worksites.Implemented regular communication through messages from the president (total of 14 times).Since February last year, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, who is responsible for the Group, took the lead in calling on Group companies to start Toyota's company-wide TPS training program for Certification Work. The aim of this initiative is to create a better work system through improvement. The president and other members of management are on-site daily at various genba, such as planning, development, design, production, and sales, which are connected to the certification process. This is being done to clarify stagnation factors in each process and to create a system to identify abnormalities.Toyota will continue to make company-wide efforts to prevent the recurrence of certification issues to once again gain the trust of stakeholders. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Feb 27, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) has announced that it conducted a demonstration operation of a cupola melting furnace (cupola), the core casting facility installed at its Hiroshima Plant, by fully replacing fossil fuels that emit CO2 during combustion with bio-coal briquettes, a biomass fuel derived from coconut shells, and confirmed the stable operation.The operation of a cupola that uses biomass fuel 100% has not been confirmed for social implementation in the world, and the company took on the challenge of conducting the demonstration experiment in collaboration with the foundry industry and local partners. In the future, Mazda will expand the circle of regional cooperation and promote an energy circulation scheme for local production for local consumption, aiming for carbon neutral (CN) operation of cupolas using waste-derived biomass fuels such as bio-coal briquettes by fiscal year 2030.Mazda has been promoting various initiatives to achieve CN at its global plants by 2035 based on the three pillars of "energy conservation," "shifting to renewable energies," and "introducing CN fuels, etc.," with the goal of achieving CN throughout its entire supply chain by 2050.Stable domestic procurement of raw materials is essential for a full conversion to biomass fuels which is in line with "introducing CN fuels," as one of the aforementioned initiatives. In March 2023, Mazda established the Cupola CN Co-creation Working Group by inviting volunteer companies and organizations to conduct research and development for the shift to biomass fuels, the establishment of production methods, and studies on the local procurement of raw materials. While bio-coal briquettes derived from coconut shells were used in the demonstration experiment this time, Mazda has been working to establish a locally produced, locally consumed energy circulation scheme in Hiroshima and neighboring areas, from biomass waste collection to production, with the aim of revitalizing local industries and contributing to the local communities. As part of such activities, Mazda has been collecting spent coffee bean husks from Tully's Coffee Shop*1 (operated by Tully's Coffee Japan Co., Ltd.) and vending machines*2 in the premises of Mazda Headquarters since November 2024, and confirmed through demonstration experiments that it is possible to produce bio-coal briquettes from these bean husks.Going forward, the company will work together with the local community to develop the local production for local consumption energy circulation scheme into a cooperative effort among industry, government, academia, and the private sector to realize stable raw material procurement of and implementation of fuel conversion.Mazda, together with the local communities, will steadily advance its challenge toward the achievement of CN throughout the supply chain in 2050, and contribute to the creation of an affluent society.For inquiries about biomass raw materials and fuel conversion technology for cupola:cupola-cn-info@mazda.co.jp Powertrain Engineering Dept., Production Engineering Div.For media inquiries, please contact below:mazda_hpr@mazda.co.jp Media Relations Dept., Mazda Motor Corporation(1) Franchisee: CULE Co., Ltd., Franchiser: Tully's Coffee Japan Co., Ltd. (2) Operated by Apex West Japan Co., Ltd. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Feb 27, 2025 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that the company has been selected for the CDP’s “2024 Climate Change A List” for the second consecutive year. The CDP is an international non-profit organization that facilitates environmental information disclosure, and Honda was selected based on its initiatives in the areas of climate change and environmental transparency. The CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for companies and local governments (cities, states and regions) around the world. The companies and local governments disclose their environmental information using the CDP questionnaire with three separate sectors – climate change, forest and water security. In 2024, more than 24,800 companies, including listed companies that account for more than 66% of global market capitalization, disclosed their environmental information. The CDP assesses the disclosed information on a score of A to D -, and companies with outstanding initiatives are named to the A List. Among more than 24,800 companies which disclosed environmental information for 2024, Honda was included in the short list of the companies making the A List.Honda is aiming to realize carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050. To this end, Honda has been pursuing electrification of its products by setting and disclosing 2030 milestone targets for both the sales ratio of electrified products and the reduction rate of CO2 emissions intensity during product use for motorcycles, automobiles and power products, respectively. In the area of corporate activities, Honda has set and disclosed a target to reduce the total amount of CO2 emissions by 46% from its corporate activities by 2030 compared to the FY2020 level. Working toward this target, Honda has been improving production efficiency, introducing various energy-saving measures, shifting toward the use of low-carbon energy and facilitating the utilization of renewable energy. Honda views these initiatives as leading to the selection of Honda to the Climate Change A list.Honda will strive to realize a carbon-neutral society, while continuing to take a proactive approach to the initiatives to address climate change and the disclosure of its environmental information. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Australia, Pty. Ltd. (MHI-AUS), the Australian subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), is expanding its business activities in Canberra to focus on providing support for the country's next general purpose frigate program and to strengthen its business network with related agencies and companies.MHI-AUS will prioritize measures to respond to requests from the Australian government in a timely manner, including providing flexible sales support, gathering information, and conveying information related to MHI products and services. The Japanese government is fully supportive of MHI's involvement in this project.In addition, as defense equipment and technology cooperation between Japan and Australia is progressing, MHI-AUS will promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Australian defense industrial partners to contribute to strengthening Japan-Australia defense cooperation.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

As part of its corporate governance reform, NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) shifted to a Company with a Nominating Committee, etc. in fiscal 2023, and has been promoting the separation of oversight and execution and the clarification of the roles of each. In order to further strengthen the monitoring function of the Board of Directors from fiscal 2025, NEC has established a policy to strengthen corporate governance, focusing on the Board structure, CEO succession planning, and the remuneration system.Through this, NEC aims to further increase the transparency and objectivity of management, accelerate business growth, achieve the Mid-term Management Plan 2025, and sustainably enhance corporate value.1. Achieving a compact structure for the Board of DirectorsIn order to further invigorate discussions on medium- to long-term management policies and strategies at Board of Directors meetings, NEC will shift to a more optimal Board structure that is both sufficiently compact and has the necessary career experience and expertise in specialist fields, while also ensuring diversity.(1) Appointment of Independent Outside DirectorsOutside directors are selected for their skills and experience, which contribute to the sustainable growth of the corporate value of the company and enable the status of execution to be appropriately monitored. After the appointment, outside directors are also subject to peer review as part of the evaluation of effectiveness of the Board of Directors each year, and decisions on reappointment or dismissal are made based on the results of this review. However, the number of times they can be reappointed is limited to eight times.(2) Appointment of Inside DirectorsInside directors are selected from representatives of the execution side where substantial authority has been delegated from the Board of Directors. NEC aims to have the optimal structure for a Board of Directors as a Company with a Nominating Committee, etc., by having a minimum number of inside directors, centering on the CEO.2. CEO succession planning and the approach to developing and selecting the management team on the executive sideIn order to continuously and fairly appoint a CEO who will lead the sustainable enhancement of the company's global corporate value, the Nominating Committee and the CEO will work together to implement CEO succession planning while ensuring transparency and objectivity. In addition, the CEO will develop and appoint the necessary personnel for the management team that leads the business based on the company's medium- to long-term strategies.(1) The role of the Nominating Committee and CEO in CEO succession planningThe Nominating Committee is responsible for "determining the appropriate time for CEO succession" and "identifying candidates for the next CEO." It also supports the development of the next generation of management talent by the CEO. In addition, the CEO is responsible for "developing candidates for the next CEO" and "proposing candidates for succession to the Nominating Committee."(2) CEO term of office, decision on reappointment or dismissalIn order for the Nominating Committee to determine the appropriate timing for CEO succession, the CEO's term of office is not fixed. Instead, the Nominating Committee conducts an "evaluation review" each year and determines whether the CEO will be reappointed or dismissed in the following year based on the CEO's intentions, business performance, a 360-degree evaluation of the CEO, as well as the status of the development of the next CEO candidate.(3) Requirements for the next CEO candidateThe Nominating Committee will assess the candidates proposed by the CEO for the CEO successor from the perspective of their necessary management qualities and character as the next CEO, such as "transformational leadership," "vision and communication skills," "sense of responsibility and determination," "development and formation of an optimal management team," "ability to continue learning," and "ethics," and will select them in consideration of the medium-term management plan, management policies, and management environment.(4) Development and appointment of a management team to lead businessWith regard to Corporate Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Vice President, and Corporate Senior Vice President, including Executive Officers, NEC has been making decisions on reappointment and dismissal on a position-by-position basis every year from the perspective of "the right time, the right place, the right person." From April 2025 onwards, in order to accelerate flexible appointments of executives, including promoting young talent, ensuring diversity, as well as promotions, demotions and reappointments, NEC will thoroughly develop management talent and promote generational change by setting a maximum of three reappointments to the same position as a guideline.3. How remuneration systems should be structured to provide incentives for enhancing corporate valueNEC will establish an executive remuneration system that provides incentives for competing and winning against global competitors, with the aim of enhancing corporate value through the achievement of the Mid-term Management Plan 2025 and the next Mid-term Management Plan, which aims for even greater heights.Specifically, NEC aims to set competitive and superior remuneration levels in line with its growth and to increase the ratio of stock compensation in particular, thereby linking management to a constant awareness of corporate value. To accelerate this movement, NEC will expand its stock compensation system.(1) Introduction of stock compensation for Outside DirectorsIn order to further enhance the sharing of value with shareholders and strengthen awareness of the need for continuous enhancement in corporate value, NEC will introduce a non-performance-based, Restricted Stock Remuneration Plan for outside directors from June 2025.(2) Expansion of stock compensation for Executive Officers and othersIn order to strengthen the sharing of value with shareholders and to secure excellent human resources to take on management roles, in addition to the current performance-based stock compensation, a new non-performance-based Board Incentive Plan Trust will be introduced from April 2025 for Corporate Senior Vice President and above, including Executive Officers and others, and the ratio of stock compensation will be increased.Comment from Harufumi Mochizuki, Chairman of the Nominating CommitteeAs NEC looks to enhance its corporate value on a global scale, the transition to a company with a Nominating Committee etc. was a catalyst for us to discuss the ideal structure for a Board of Directors that will lead to continuous growth in corporate value and the development of the next generation of management for true growth. The selection of directors and support for the development of the next generation of management, including the next CEO, is an important role of the Nominating Committee, and we will continue to operate in a way that contributes to enhancing corporate value.Comment from Masashi Oka, Chairman of the Compensation CommitteeIn addition to achieving the goals of the Mid-term Management Plan 2025, the Compensation Committee has been discussing the direction and form of executive compensation that will serve as an incentive to achieve a competitive advantage globally over the medium to long term during the next Mid-term Management Plan period. As a result, NEC will introduce stock compensation for outside directors and increase the ratio of stock-based compensation for Officers from fiscal 2025, accelerating the strengthening of awareness of sustainable enhancement of corporate value. In addition, NEC will continue to strengthen the design and operation of its remuneration to ensure that it functions as an incentive to enhance corporate value and to secure promising management talent.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2025 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.