Bridgestone Corp. has named Takashu Urano chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Europe.
Urano's term started on April 1. He replaces Minekazu Fujimura, who is retiring.
Urano joined Bridgestone in 1974. By 1999, he had risen to become general manager of the tiremaker's Asia and Oceania Division and later general manager of its China Department.
In early 2004, he was appointed director of Bridgestone's Middle East, Africa and Russia Division.
"Europe is one of the most advanced markets for the automotive industry and our customers are highly demanding in terms of technology, quality and sales," says Urano.
