Tokyo (February 1st, 2010) - Bridgestone Corporation (“Bridgestone”) today announced that on January 31, 2010 it entered into a definitive agreement to sell 100% of the shares of its Italian and Chinese steel cord manufacturing subsidiaries to Belgian-based NV Bekaert SA (“Bekaert”). The manufacturing subsidiaries to be sold are Bridgestone Metalpha Italia S.p.A. (BMI) and Bridgestone (Huizhou) Steel Cord Co., LTD. (BSSH). As part of this transaction, Bridgestone has entered into a long-term tire cord supply agreement with Bekaert, which will ensure a stable supply of quality cord and will enhance the on-going relationship of two companies which are leaders in their respective industries. The parties will complete the transactions once all applicable governmental and regulatory approvals are received.

The Bridgestone group is one of the most vertically integrated companies in the tire industry, internally producing many of the raw and intermediate materials used in the development and manufacturing of its strategic tire products. Prior to the announced sale, it operated seven steel cord plants around the world^* , supplying that intermediate material to the Group’s tire manufacturing facilities.

This agreement will allow Bridgestone to further increase its focus on developing innovative materials for use in the company’s strategic tire products within a more streamlined operation, all while securing a stable supply of standard steel cord specifications from an external supplier with whom it has a strong relationship.

Bekaert has been a key supplier of steel cord to Bridgestone since many years. In addition to an existing steel cord supply arrangement between the two companies, Bridgestone and Bekaert in the past participated in a joint venture which developed and manufactured steel cord. The new agreement will lead to an enhanced relationship between the companies and is expected to contribute to an even more prosperous future for both.

The Bridgestone Group is continuously evaluating ways to optimize its resources and integrate and expand its business domains through the implementation of its clear, long-term strategy.

1. * In U.S.A, Italy, Thailand, Huizhou and Shenyang in China, Kuroiso and Saga in Japan

Please see below for more details of BMI, BSSH and Bekaert.

Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) is a global technological leader in its two core competencies: advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings, and a market leader in drawn wire products and applications. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with headquarters in Belgium, employing 23,000 people worldwide. Serving customers in 120 countries, Bekaert pursues sustainable profitable growth in all its activities and generates annual combined sales of € 4 billion.