As of 1 July, Masahiro Higashi will become Bridgestone Corporation’s global chief operating officer. He will succeed Akihiro Eto in this role following Eto’s retirement as COO and as representative executive officer on 30 June. Higashi also will hold the office of chief administration officer and become president and chief executive officer of BSJP, Bridgestone’s tyre and diversified products business in Japan.