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The Status of Damage of Bridgestone Factories Following the 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku (Northeastern Part of Japan) Earthquake Disaster

Tokyo (March 14, 2011) - The Bridgestone Group would like to express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones as a result of the 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku (Northeastern Part of Japan) Earthquake Disaster on March 11, 2011, and we wish the area will see a rapid recovery.

Information regarding the status of Bridgestone Group manufacturing facilities located in northeast Japan as of 9:00 AM March 14 is as follows:


  1. Japanese factories located in the Kanto region or north of that region:
    Tochigi Factory, Nasu Factory, Kuroiso Factory, Tokyo Factory, Yokohama Factory

  2. Damage status of Bridgestone factories
    (1) Tochigi Factory, Nasu Factory, Kuroiso Factory, Tokyo Factory
    No critical damage has been reported at these facilities. Production was stopped immediately following the earthquake to conduct safety evaluations. Bridgestone will determine the Tochigi, Nasu, Kuroiso and Tokyo factories can resume production based on electricity restrictions and other issues. No injuries or loss of life have been reported at these facilities.

    (2) Yokohama Factory
    No critical damage has been reported at the Yokohama facility. Production was stopped immediately following the earthquake to conduct safety evaluations. Partial production resumed after plant safety was confirmed. Bridgestone will determine when the Yokohama factory can resume full production based on electricity restrictions and other issues. No injuries or loss of life have been reported at this facility.

  3. Outline of Each Factory
    (1) Tochigi Factory
    A. Location : Kaminakano 10, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture
    B. Start of Production : 1971
    C. Production Item : Passenger car tires, truck and bus tires, and others
    D. Site area : 488,800m²
    E. Number of Employees : 1,096
    F. Production capacity : 6,200 tons per month

    (2) Nasu Factory
    A. Location : Higashi-yamato Cho 3-1, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture
    B. Start of Production : 1962
    C. Production Item : Passenger car tires, motorcycle tires and others
    D. Site area : 234,540m²
    E. Number of Employees : 847
    F. Production capacity : 2,600 tons per month

    (3) Kuroiso Factory
    A. Location : Shimonakano 800, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture
    B. Start of Production : 1971
    C. Production Item : Steel Cord for radial tires, beadwire for tires and others
    D. Site area : 342,342m²
    E. Number of Employees : 657
    F. Production capacity : 65,000 tons per year for steel cord, 28,500 tons per year for beadwire

    (4) Tokyo Factory
    A. Location : Ogawa Higashi-cho 3-1-1, Kodaira City, Tokyo Prefecture
    B. Start of Production : 1960
    C. Production Item : Passenger car tires, truck and bus tires, and others
    D. Site area : 557,400m²
    E. Number of Employees : 1,033
    F. Production capacity : 3,700 tons per month

    (5) Yokohama Factory
    A. Location : Kashio-cho 1, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
    B. Start of Production : 1938
    C. Production Item : Industrial products, construction materials and others
    D. Site area : 302,343m²
    E. Number of Employees : 1,663

  4. Other Factories in Japan
    Production at Bridgestone's other manufacturing facilities in Japan continued after safety at the plants was confirmed. Bridgestone will announce the impact of the disaster on production after further verification.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.