Bridgestone reports 161% rise in profit

TOKYO February 23, 2003; Bridgestone Corp said Friday it chalked up a consolidated net profit of 45.38 billion yen in the business year that ended in December, up a sharp 161.0% from 17.39 billion yen the previous year.

The leading automobile tire maker attributed the strong result to brisk exports and overseas sales supported by the yen's depreciation as well as streamlined operations