The following board members will undergo changes in position and responsibilities, effective Jan. 1, 2008:

– Toru Tsuda – New position and responsibilities: vice president and senior officer responsible for products development, tyre products development, tyre research and material development; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and senior officer responsible for products development, tyre products development.

– Mikio Masunaga – New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, procurement and steelcord; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, tyre research and material development.

– Hideki Yokoyama – New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, central research; concurrently vice director, human resources division; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, quality.

– Shuichi Ishibashi – New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, quality; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, Kanto branch. (Ishibashi was formerly with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire)

– Kaoru Fujioka – New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, assistant to senior vice president, responsible for GLC; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, steel cord.

– Sugio Fukuoka – New position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, seconded to Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd., chairman and CEO of Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd.; Current position and responsibilities: vice president and officer, seconded to Bridgestone South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)