We carry a variety of products, from MB products for businesses, such as large fenders, to passenger car tires that are delivered directly to consumers, which are being used in various situations of society. We believe that by continuing to provide products and services that will satisfy each of our customers, we will be able to gain their support and achieve sustainable growth together with our customers.
This position of ours is declared in the Quality Policy, and the actions that should be taken by employees are stipulated in the Yokohama Rubber Group Action Guidelines.

Product Liability Compliance

At Yokohama Rubber, we believe that fulfilling our responsibility for our products is essential to our success and our contribution to society. Earning customer trust and delivering sustainable, profitable growth requires consistently providing high-quality products that customers worldwide can purchase with confidence. Our "Yokohama Rubber Code of Conduct" emphasizes this commitment by stating: "We will listen to our customers, understand their needs, and develop, design, manufacture, and sell products that are socially beneficial."

With the launch of our YX2026 mid-term management plan, we are committed to raising the bar for quality assurance activities to further enhance customer trust. To support the growth and customer satisfaction of each Yokohama Rubber Group business, we are developing a framework for "autonomous quality assurance." This approach strengthens quality management within each business while fostering collaboration across the Group. We are identifying key challenges and establishing the necessary organizational structures to achieve this goal.
Yokohama Rubber is committed to enhancing quality assurance across all business units. Here are some key initiatives:

• Hose and Piping: We are reviewing and strengthening quality assurance processes across various supply chains to ensure consistent quality.
• Industrial Materials: We are implementing a comprehensive quality management system that guarantees quality throughout the entire product lifecycle, from order placement to market performance.
• Tires: We are enhancing quality assurance capabilities in our global operations to ensure swift and effective responses to customer needs.

To support these initiatives, we are investing in comprehensive training and development programs to cultivate a highly quality-conscious workforce.

Hiroyuki Narabayashi, Head of Quality Assurance Division

Quality assurance: System for market measures
Under the supervision of the Executive Committee, a failure matter reported from customers related to products of a business department is deliberated in a "product improvement small meeting" and a "product improvement meeting," and the result of the meetings will be submitted to the "Market Measures Reviewing Committee." If the matter is regarded as deserving to be subject to market measures, the Market Measures Headquarters will be established to consider a specific proposal. After that, the specific proposal will be further deliberated in by the "Market Measures Examination Committee."
Before implementing market measures by the Market Measures Headquarters, it is necessary to gain approval from the "Executive Committee" based on the confirmation of management risks by the Risk Management Committee.
We also take possible measure to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents based on a report and analytical results from the "product improvement meeting."

Product Liability Compliance Framework

When product quality issues or customer complaints arise, Yokohama Rubber takes swift action to resolve the problem and prevent future occurrences. We conduct regular quality audits to verify the effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure that necessary improvements are implemented.

• Establish a quality assurance system in response to the expansion of global production and sales
• Develop a global service system that keeps abreast of market changes (quality information)
• Raise awareness of the proper use of products toward enhancing customer safety and achieving a low-carbon society
• Provide quality education for all employees

ISO/IATF 16949 Certification Status

The Yokohama Rubber Group's quality assurance system for the automotive industry is built on compliance with IATF 16949. To strengthen this foundation, we are committed to comprehensive quality training and encouraging our managers and supervisors to obtain Internal Quality Auditor certification. In fiscal year 2023, we certified two new internal auditors, bringing the total number of certified auditors to 16.

Considering the level of impact of business activities and the level of social interest, the following have been established as our priority action items to be addressed by the Yokohama Rubber Group.