Mazda Roadster 3rd generation (NC)

After the second generation's launch, he was told to hand the chief engineer role to a younger person, but a few months later the personnel plan was apparently reversed at a management meeting, and he was given the third generation as well. Company policy was for the third generation to share its chassis with the RX-8, about 200 kg heavier. Kijima turned Ford's demand for parts cost reduction under the strong yen to his advantage, persuading management that a dedicated suspension design would raise profits overall. With "Operation Gram," which let not a single gram slip by, he held the weight gain to 10 kg over the second generation despite the larger chassis.

When the development team was launched, Kijima set the goal of a car that could win the Japan Car of the Year, the award the first generation had missed, losing to the Celsior. The year the prototype was finished, he developed Ménière's disease the night before a test drive in the UK and was off work for a month and a half, but development proceeded as planned. The third generation brought Mazda its first Japan Car of the Year in 23 years.