TOKYO — Bridgestone Corp. is increasing prices of its winter tires for passenger cars and vans in Japan by an average of 6 percent, beginning Sept. 1.
The Japanese tire maker linked the price increase to rising costs of raw materials including natural rubber, synthetic rubber and other petrochemicals.
"Bridgestone has been working on absorbing impacts of rising tire material prices through productivity improvements, cost reductions, and other measures," the Tokyo-based company said in a statement.
However, the tire maker said it has found it difficult to absorb impacts "through the company's efforts alone."