Facing the Challenges of World War II

The Asahi plant - Bridgestone Cycle Company

With wartime regulations in effect throughout Japan, nearly all of Bridgestone’s output was being used towards satisfying military demand.

In 1945, armed conflict had ended, but Bridgestone had been directly impacted by the war, and now had to begin the challenge of rebuilding it’s business and operations.

Emerging From the Ashes

During an aerial bombing raid, the building of the Bridgestone Tokyo Headquarters was destroyed and all of its overseas assets lost. Fortunately the company’s Kurume and Yokohama plants survived and escaped intact and production was able to commence immediately after the war ended.

Bridgestone overcame many obstacles during this time, eventually emerging from the war stronger than before.