TOKYO (Dec. 9, 2011) - Bridgestone Corporation was honored to receive a visit by H.E. Mrs. Laura Chinchilla Miranda, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, at its corporate headquarters on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. During the visit, the President met with Shoshi Arakawa, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, as well as several other Bridgestone executives.

"We were very pleased to receive President Chinchilla at our headquarters during her visit to Japan," said Shoshi Arakawa, Chariman of the Board, CEO and President of Bridgestone Corporation. "Our company enjoys a close partnership with Costa Rica - one that we hope will continue well into the future."

The Bridgestone Group operates two facilities in Costa Rica: a tire plant in Heredia and an air springs plant in Turrialba. Furthermore, in 2012 the Group will launch a new Financial Shared Services Center in Costa Rica that will serve the financial needs of the company's operations throughout Latin America.

The President is in Japan from Dec. 6 - 10 on an official working visit to make a state call on His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The visit also includes a court luncheon hosted by His Majesty the Emperor.

H.E. Mrs. Laura Chinchilla Miranda, President of the Republic of Costa Rica (Left)
Shoshi Arakawa, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Bridgestone Corporation (Right)