Yokohama Tire Corporation Announces New President

Oishi to assume role as President following Karashima's return to Japan

Media Contacts: Bill Groak, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4940, Cell: 310/849-3676; bgroak@pcgcampbell.com
Jeff Green, PCGCampbell, 310/224-4948, Cell: 310/291-1977; jgreen@pcgcampbell.com

FULLERTON, Calif. (Feb 12, 2008) - Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) today announced changes in Senior Management roles and responsibilities, which will be effective April 1, 2008.

Mr. Norio Karashima, current President and CEO of YTC, will return to Yokohama Rubber Company (YRC) corporate headquarters in Japan to assume an increase in responsibilities. As Managing Corporate Officer, Karashima will be based in Tokyo, where he will take on global responsibility over YRC's Off-the-Road Tire and Aircraft Tire Division, Tire Logistics Division, and as General Manager of Tire Planning Division. He will also retain his duties in charge of Tire North America Business Department and as President of Yokohama Corporation of America.

Karashima's new duties were previously managed by Mr. Tooru Kobayashi, who has been promoted to Director and Managing Corporate Officer, President of Multiple Business Group at YRC.

Karashima joined YRC in 1976 and became a Corporate Officer and President of YTC in 2004. He has also served as President of Yokohama Reifen in Germany.

Mr. Takao Oishi will succeed Karashima as President and CEO of YTC. Oishi joined YTC in 2007 as Executive Vice President, responsible for MIS, OE sales, strategic marketing and operations. Oishi previously served as President of Yokohama Europe and lived in Dusseldorf, Germany.

YRC also announced that Mr. Tetsuya Mizoguchi will assume a change in position as Director and Managing Corporate Officer, General Manager of R&D Center.

Yokohama Tire Corporation Senior Management Changes

Mr. Norio Karashima
New position (Japan-based):
Managing Corporate Officer, in charge of Off-the-Road Tire and Aircraft Tire Division, Tire Logistics Division, Tire North America Business Department, General Manager of Tire Planning Division, President of Yokohama Corporation of America
Current position (Fullerton-based): Managing Corporate Officer, in charge of Tire North America Business Department, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, President of Yokohama Corporation of America

Mr. Takao Oishi
New position (Fullerton-based):
President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation
Current position (Fullerton-based): Executive Vice President of Yokohama Tire Corporation

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. Senior Management Changes

Mr. Tooru Kobayashi New position (Japan-based): Director and Managing Corporate Officer, President of Multiple Business Group
Current position (Japan-based): Director and Corporate Officer, in charge of Off-the-Road Tire and Aircraft Tire Division, Tire Logistics Division, General Manager of Tire Planning Division

Mr. Tetsuya Mizoguchi New position (Japan-based): Director and Managing Corporate Officer, General Manager of R&D Center
Current position (Japan-based): Director and Managing Corporate Officer, President of Multiple Business Group, General Manager of R&D Center

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com. For details on Yokohama's environmental efforts, go to www.ecotreadsetters.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.