TOKYO, Japan - With a focus on growing its original equipment business in Asia and Japan, Goodyear has appointed Yuichi Yoshizawa, director, original equipment sales and marketing, Asia region.

Yoshizawa will be responsible for the strategic coordination of sales and marketing for original equipment accounts within the Asia region, excluding Japan. However, he will work closely with Toyohiko Morikawa, vice president of Goodyear brand original equipment sales and marketing, Dunlop Goodyear Tires, Ltd., for the coordination of Japanese OE account planning, and Relationships within the Asia region.

Yoshizawa will be based in Tokyo and report functionally to Hugh Pace, president of Goodyear's Asia region, and administratively to Hidesato Ishikawa, president, Goodyear Wingfoot KK.

His appointment was effective Sept. 1. Yoshizawa previously worked for Bridgestone Corporation of Japan.