Bridgestone to Raise Tire Prices in Japan

Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 23, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Bridgestone Corporation
has announced that it will raise prices on June 1 for tires, tubes, and
flaps sold in the replacement market in Japan. The price increases will
average 5% for passenger car and light truck tires, 6% for truck and bus
tires, and 5% to 6% for other kinds of tires and for tubes and flaps.

These price increases are to compensate for the sharp rises that have
occurred in prices for natural rubber and other raw materials.
Bridgestone has endeavored to offset the rises in raw material prices
through improvements in productivity and cost savings. But those rises
have proved too large and persistent to absorb entirely through internal
measures.


About Bridgestone Corporation

Bridgestone Corporation , headquartered in Tokyo, is the
world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Tires
account for 80 percent of Bridgestone Group sales worldwide. The company
also manufactures industrial rubber and chemical products, sporting
goods, and other diversified products. It sells its tires and other
products in more than 150 nations.For further information, please visit
the Bridgestone Corporation home page at: www.bridgestone.co.jp/
<http://www.bridgestone.co.jp/>