Yokohama speaks out on Japan catastrophe

March 15, 2011

Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has released a statement concerning the status of its plants and operations following the earthquake that rocked Japan March 11. Here is the statement in its entirety.

The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. announced today the following statement

We express our deep sympathy for all people affected by the Pacific Coast of Tohoku (northeastern part of Japan) earthquake and we pray for their early relief and recovery.
As of 4 p.m. March 14, 2011, situations at Yokohama Rubber's plants were as follows:

1. Plants located in and north of the Kanto area Mishima plant, Hiratsuka factory, Hiratsuka-Higashi plant, Hamatite (Nakahara) plant, Ibaraki plant, and Nagano plant

2. Status

Mishima plant, Hiratsuka factory, Hiratsuka-Higashi plant, Hamatite (Nakahara) plant, Nagano plant -- fortunately, there have been no casualties.

Immediately after the earthquake, all plants suspended operations. No serious damage, including to buildings or equipment, was found, and operations were partially resumed after confirming safety.

We are now working to determine a schedule for returns to full operation, taking into account power supply restrictions, availability of raw materials and others.

Ibaraki plant -- fortunately, there have been no casualties.

Immediately after the earthquake, the plant suspended operations. Some damage to buildings and equipment has been observed. We are currently working to confirm safety and on recovery efforts.

We are also addressing the timing of return to production, together with measures to deal with power supply restrictions and the procuring of raw materials.

3. Other Plants

Shinshiro plant, Mie plant, Onomichi plant -- these plants continue to operate normally, and we are addressing the issue of procurement of raw materials.

4. Other
We are in the process of confirming the status of other Yokohama Group companies.

(Editor's note: Yokohama Rubber also announced it will donate 50,000,000 yen -- approximately $610,000 -- to assist with relief efforts following the earthquake.)