At the site, APM plans to establish a "Smart Cluster" that will enable effective and flexible integrated production of small parts for commercial aircraft, including the MRJ and airplanes manufactured by The Boeing Company.

In their quest to achieve this goal and compete more aggressively in the global market, APM will blend highly efficient manufacturing methods used in the automobile parts industry into aircraft parts production system in order to create a sophisticated, self-sustaining parts production system . Going forward, the participating companies aim to begin full-fledged operations in the latter half of fiscal 2016.

MHI plans to make the Matsusaka Plant a key manufacturing base for MRJ in Japan, and aims to begin production of vertical and horizontal tail sections there by the end of March 2017.

Matsusaka City is located in the Tokai region, which is home to many aircraft-related businesses that the Japanese government has designated as ‘Special Zone to Create Asia No.1 Aerospace Industrial Cluster' in an effort to promote the development of Japan's aircraft industries. Located in the Matsusaka Core Industrial Complex, the Matsusaka Plant is also a part of this special district.

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) is a family of 70~90-seat next-generation aircraft currently being developed by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation. The MRJ drastically reduces fuel consumption, noise and emissions while also offering a more spacious and comfortable cabin than existing regional jets.

With the plant location agreements as a basis for further development, MHI will strive to make the MRJ project a success, and contribute to the creation of a Japanese aircraft industry that is highly competitive powers in the global market.
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