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Testimony of CEO, Bridgestone/Firestone

13 September 2000

Testimony of Masatoshi Ono, Chief Executive Officer, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Before the Senate Commerce Committee September 12, 2000

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 The following is a testimony of
Masatoshi Ono, Chief Executive Officer, of Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., before
the Senate Commerce Committee:

    Chairman McCain, Senator Hollings and Members of the Committee:

    As Chief Executive Officer, I come before you to express my deep regret
and sympathy to you, the American people and especially to the families who
have lost loved ones in these terrible rollover accidents.  I also come to
accept full and personal responsibility on behalf of Bridgestone/Firestone for
the events that led to this hearing.  Whenever people are hurt or fatally
injured in automobile accidents, it is tragic.  Whenever people are injured
while riding on Firestone tires, it is cause for great concern among
Bridgestone/Firestone's management and our 35,000 American employees.  We are
committed to resolving this situation and regaining the trust of our
customers.
    My experience last week suggested that my problems with English may have
limited our ability to explain important issues to you and the American
people.  I would ask that our remarks be completed by our Executive Vice
President, Mr. John Lampe.