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Bridgestone To Increase Production Capacity For Large And Ultralarge Radial Tires For Mining And Construction EquipmentCompany will invest US $155 million in expansion projects at Shimonoseki, Saga, and Hofu plants

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 30, 2005) - Bridgestone Corporation, parent company of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH), today announced that it will expand production capacity for large and ultralarge radial tires for mining and construction equipment and other off-the-road equipment. This move is in response to growing global demand for those tires, according to the announcement. It becomes part of a sweeping capital spending program that the Bridgestone Group is undertaking worldwide.

The capacity increase in off-the-road tires will center on expanding tire-production capacity at Bridgestone’s Shimonoseki Plant about 20% by the beginning of 2008. It will also include expanding production capacity for steel cord about 5% at the company’s Saga Plant and for off-the-road tire parts at the Hofu Plant. Bridgestone reports that it has earmarked US $155 million for investment in the expansion work at those three plants.

Mining and quarrying equipment are the main applications for the large and ultralarge tires for which Bridgestone will increase its production capacity. Demand for those tires is growing worldwide in step with expanded mining activity, and management at Bridgestone expects that trend to continue. Product is destined for markets worldwide.

Bridgestone’s plans call for construction of new buildings at the Shimonoseki Plant to begin in the latter half of 2005 and the construction will be completed by the end of 2006. At the Hofu Plant, Bridgestone will begin expansion work in the latter half of 2005 with an eye to bringing the new production capacity online in the latter half of 2006 to assist the expansion of production at Shimonoseki Plant. The company will begin work on expanding buildings at the Saga Plant in the latter half of 2005, and the new production equipment there is due to begin operation in early 2007.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Tires account for 80 percent of Bridgestone Group sales worldwide. The company also manufactures industrial rubber and chemical products, sporting goods, and other diversified products. It sells its tires and other products in more than 150 nations.

About Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.:
Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. (BSAH) is the U.S. subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation. BSAH and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate and private brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies also produce air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers.