I. History of the Japanese Tyre Industry
1. Brief History of the Japanese Tyre Industry ................................................................................... 2
2. Changes in the Tyre and Automobile Production........................................................................... 3
II. The Japanese Tyre Industry Today
1. Overview .................................................................... 4
2. Production Trends by Tyre Category ............................................................................................. 5
3. Trends in Sales of Original Equipment Tyres................................................................................. 5
4. Trends in Sales of Replacement Tyres .......................................................................................... 6
Trends in Sales of summer tyres and winter tyres for replacement (for four-wheeled vehicles).....6
5. Trends in Sales of Export Tyres..................................................................................................... 7
6. Exports by Region of Destination................................................................................................... 8
7. Imports by Region of Origin ........................................................................................................... 8
III. Measures for Tyre Safety
1. Safety Standards for Automobile Tyres ......................................................................................... 9
2. Tyre Standards...............................................................................9
3. Legal Limits on Tread Wear ..........................................................10
4. Product Inspection .........................................................................10
IV. Consideration for Environment
1. Approach to “Reduce” ....................................................................11
2. Recycling Situation...........................................................................12
3. Situation in Illegal Piling & Dumping of Scrapped Tyres ...................14
V. Reference
1. Automobiles and Tyres .................................................................. 15
2. Distribution Channels ........................................................................... 16
3. Raw Materials ...................................................................................... 17
4. Tyre Production Worldwide .................................................................. 18
The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc. .................. 19
JATMA Member Firms....................................................................... 20
Distribution of Member Firms’ Automobile Tyre Plants............................... 21
