NASHVILLE, TN — Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) today announced that Yuji Tomiyasu, vice chairman and president of BSAH and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), has returned to Japan due to ill health. Following his recovery, he will accept an assignment at Bridgestone Corp. in Tokyo.

As of January 1, 2005, Tomiyasu will be succeeded as vice chairman and president of BSAH and BFNT, by Asahiko “Duke” Nishiyama, who currently serves director Americas and Europe Operations, Bridgestone Corp., the parent company of BSAH.

Tomiyasu officially joined BSA early this year. He joined Bridgestone Corp. in 1974 and held positions of increasing responsibility in the original equipment sales group, both in Japan and in Europe. In early 2002 he assumed responsibilities as director, Americas and European Operations, where he was a strong advocate of BSA with a deep understanding of the unique issues and opportunities of the Americas business. He accepted his assignment at BSAH in January 2004 and BFNT in April 2004.

Nishiyama is a 27-year veteran of the Bridgestone-group of companies. Nishiyama will also be elected executive vice president BSAH, and is currently director Americas and Europe Operations, Bridgestone Corp., a post he assumed in January, 2004. Nishiyama joined Bridgestone Corp. in 1977. His broad-based experience has included positions in Bridgestone’s International Division and Human Resources group. He also served as director, business planning, Bridgestone Americas from September 1997 through January 2001.

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