Toshikazu Takata, Tokyo Institute of Technology professor and new chairman of the Society of Rubber Science and Technology Japan (SRIJ) for fiscal 2017–18, recently spoke of his aspirations to establish an open innovation center in the form of a general laboratory for rubber technology. Takata said that the world recognizes the Japanese rubber industry’s world-class technology, such as tires and...
The new president of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101), Masataka Yamaishi, assumed office on March 30. This year is a milestone for Yokohama Rubber, marking the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding. President Yamaishi recently sat down with Japan Rubber Weekly to discuss his thoughts on being named president of Yokohama Rubber and a variety of other topics. On being...
Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down with Gregory May, who became the new managing director of Continental Tire Japan Co. Ltd. this past May 1 at the age of 37. May explained that Continental AG’s Japanese arm, established in 2014, has reached the end of its start-up phase and moved on to the stage of generating stable profits while pursuing...
Appointed as the new president of Kuraray Plastics Co. Ltd. this past March, Takashi Nakajima says that his role is to keep a balance between offense and defense. And on this basis, Nakajima plans to expand Kuraray Plastics’ compound business while also finding new applications and contents for the company’s existing products. Founded in 1905, Kuraray Plastics marks its 112th...
Japan Rubber Weekly recently had the opportunity to discuss management strategy with Minoru Hamamura, Daiichi Rubber Co. Ltd.’s newly appointed president. The fourth president to lead the company and its roughly 80 employees, 63-year old Hamamura took over the Hokkaido-based rubber products manufacturer on Feb. 25. Current situation Daiichi Rubber manufactures and sells rubber and synthetic resin products, with rubber boots...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has significantly boosted the noise suppression and ride comfort performance of its Le Mans V fuel-efficient tire by employing the company’s new Shinobi technology. Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down with Sumitomo Rubber Sales Planning Manager Mamiko Kadoya from the company’s domestic tire replacement sales headquarters to discuss the Le Mans V and the new...
