FULLERTON, CA – Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) announced that Yasushi Tanaka will be the company’s new president and CEO, effective June 29. Tanaka succeeds Takao Oishi, who has been at the helm of YTC since April 2008.

Tanaka, 52, comes to YTC from parent company The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. (YRC) in Tokyo, Japan, where he was Corporate Officer in charge of Corporate Planning Department, Secretariat, GD100 Promotion Department.    

Tanaka, who joined YRC in 1982, will now be based at YTC’s corporate headquarters in Fullerton, Calif. His promotion also includes being named president of Yokohama Corporation of America and president of Yokohama Corporation of North America. Tanaka remains a YRC Corporate Officer.

Oishi, who has been assigned to Director and Managing Corporate Officer effective June 29, returns to Japan as General Manager of Industrial Products Business Group.

“I am extremely proud of what we accomplished at YTC,” said Oishi.  “Despite some of the toughest economic times in recent U.S. economic history, the company rose to be the most successful and profitable subsidiary of YRC worldwide. I am also grateful that, during my tenure, I was surrounded by dealers and YTC colleagues who provided me with warm friendship. I look forward to leaving the company in the very capable hands of Mr. Tanaka, as well as returning home to embark on achieving new milestones.”

Under Oishi’s leadership, YTC has enjoyed remarkable growth, including a significant rise in the volume of sales and market share.  Additionally, the organization has expanded production capabilities at the Salem, VA manufacturing plant and elevated Yokohama brand awareness through major marketing initiatives such as sports marketing.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec – the world’s first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the “Tire Safety” section at www.yokohamatire.com.