Norio Karashima, former president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), returned as executive advisor to the company’s Fullerton, Calif., headquarters. The announcement was made by The Yokohama Rubber Company, Ltd. (YRC), YTC’s parent company in Tokyo, Japan.

“Mr. Karashima has a deep understanding of YRC’s long-term plans, goals and capabilities at the highest level,” said Yasushi Tanaka, YTC’s president and CEO. “Coupled with his extensive knowledge of the market and the dealer network in the U.S., he is in a unique position to advise our executive management team and make the strategies we have put together that much stronger in steadily growing our sales. We are excited to have him join us as Executive Advisor and Chairman.”

Karashima joined YRC in 1976 and has held several executive positions in his career including being named President of Yokohama Reifen in Germany in 2002, President of YTC in 2004 and President of Yokohama Rubber (China) in 2008. His most recent title was Director and Executive Vice President, Chief Global Marketing Officer.