Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. received a letter of appreciation from the Japanese ambassador to the Russian Federation, Chikahito Harada, in recognition of its support for the people affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake.
Through charity events carried out at InterAuto Moscow 2011, held from August 24 to 28, Yokohama was able to contribute a significant amount of money. At a ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow recently, the letter was presented to Junichi Okishima, president of Yokohama Russia LLC.
At InterAuto Moscow 2011, in addition to exhibiting tires, Yokohama staged Ninja and Oiran (high-ranking geisha) shows by performers from Edo Wonderland in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, to give Russian people the experience of traditional Japanese entertainment. There was also a high-speed drifting exhibition.
Charity activities for the earthquake disaster included the placement of collection boxes at a special site of the motor show. There also were auctions, booths and more, with all proceeds donated to relief efforts.
Recognizing Russia as an important, growing market, Yokohama Rubber has been expanding its business there. Yokohama has established two companies in Russia jointly with Itochu Corp.: Yokohama Russia LLC, a tire sales company, in April 2005; and Yokohama R.P.Z LLC, a tire sales and manufacturing company, in August 2009.
Yokohama Rubber says more than two million Yokohama tires were sold in Russia during its 2010 fiscal year. (See "Yokohama to build car tire plant in Russia.")
