Bridgestone's Arakawa named as ceo; Watanabe steps down

Tokyo-- Bridgestone Corporation announced today that its Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, Shigeo Watanabe, will be stepping down and that his successor will be Shoshi Arakawa, presently Executive Vice President.

The succession will become effective immediately after the general meeting of shareholders on 30 March, 2006. Watanabe will continue to serve Bridgestone as the Board Member and Advisor to the Board.