Another week, another facelifted Mazda in Japan. This time, it’s the Axela (Mazda3) that’s getting the makeover treatment.

On the face of it, the tweaks are almost entirely cosmetic – chrome door handles, new tinted glass, body colors, and expanded use of black molding for the rear bumper.

But more seriously, Mazda has also addressed one persistent fault with the 3 – engine and road noise – via a new hood insulator and sound absorbent material in the floor and doors. The racy JDM Axela Sport 23S seen here also gets to show off these snazzy new 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels.

(Click through to read more about the facelifted Mazda3.)

Launched in the fall of 2003, the Mazda3/Axela has been a smash hit from day one and Mazda’s biggest problem all along has been keeping up with demand.

Rumors in Tokyo suggest Mazda will show the next 3/Axela at the Paris Auto Show in October and that, yes, there will be another Mazdaspeed 3.