Bridgestone Corporation revises non-consolidated forecasts.

TOKYO--(AUTOMOTIVEWIRE)--June 26, 1996--Bridgestone Corporation has revised upward its forecast of non-consolidated financial results for the full year as well as the first half of 1996. (Non consolidated forecasts are for the parent company only, and do not include the additional net sales and earnings of more than 200 consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and worldwide such as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.)

Bridgestone now forecasts first-half non-consolidated sales of Y337 billion ($3.09 billion at 109.1 yen to the dollar, the exchange rate of June 25, 1996), 8.7 percent higher than the initial forecast of Y310 billion announced in February 1996. The company also raised its forecast for full-year non-consolidated sales in 1996 to Y700 billion ($6.42 billion), 4.5 percent above the previous forecast of Y670 billion.

Non-consolidated recurring profit for the first half is expected to reach Y41.5 billion ($380.4 million), an increase of 29.7 percent compared to the previous forecast of Y32.0 billion. The new forecast for full-year non-consolidated recurring profit is Y89.0 billion ($815.8 million), 12.7 percent higher than the prior forecast of Y79.0 billion.

The new forecast for non-consolidated net earnings after tax for the first half is Y19.0 billion ($174.2 million), an 18.8-percent increase from the initial forecast of Y16.0 billion. Full-year non-consolidated net earnings are expected to total Y43.0 billion ($394.1 million), 7.5 percent higher than the previous forecast of Y40.0 billion.

Bridgestone raised its financial results forecasts to reflect an increase in exports, primarily to the Middle East and North America, as well as the effects of the depreciation of the yen since February 1996.

The following tables show Bridgestone's non-consolidated first-half and full-year financial results for 1994 and 1995, and the new forecasts for 1996. -0-

NON-CONSOLIDATED FIRST-HALF RESULTS AND FORECASTS
Japanese yen (Y) millions
                          Operating  Recurring  Net Earnings
               Sales      Profit     Profit     After Taxes
6/94          287,967     27,191     16,912      8,012
6/95          306,879     38,910     31,685     10,386
6/96 F        337,000         --     41,500     19,000

NON-CONSOLIDATED FULL-YEAR RESULTS AND FORECASTS
Japanese yen (Y) millions
                          Operating  Recurring  Net Earnings
               Sales      Profit     Profit     After Taxes
12/94         622,473     77,949     59,492     21,602
12/95         661,186     92,368     77,355     32,283
12/96 F       700,000         --     89,000     43,000

-0-

Bridgestone Corporation, with headquarters in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company, producing a complete line of tires which account for 75 percent of sales. It also manufactures a wide range of sporting goods and industrial rubber and chemical products. Bridgestone products are sold in more than 150 nations and territories around the world.

CONTACT: Bridgestone Corporation

Trevor Hoskins, 615/872-1410

Alan Halbert, 615/872-1463

or 800/851-7000