Australian Embassy and Bridgestone host Solar Challenge reception

Tokyo, Japan – The Australian Embassy in Japan and Bridgestone Corporation co-hosted the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) Partners Reception on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

The event celebrated the success of the world’s premier solar car race, the 2025 BWSC, held in Australia from August 24 to 31, 2025, and shared initiatives aimed at realizing a sustainable society with BWSC as a starting point, together with participating teams and co-creation partners.

Bridgestone is accelerating efforts toward a sustainable society through global motorsports activities, working hand in hand with partners. At BWSC 2025, Bridgestone advanced sustainability across its entire value chain—from developing and supplying tires featuring ENLITEN® technology with a recycled and renewable material ratio of over 65%, to enabling low-carbon transportation and implementing post-use recycling.

The event also featured co-creation partners—Nippon Steel Corporation, Teijin Limited, and DHL Global Forwarding Japan K.K.—highlighting each company’s sustainability initiatives. In addition, next-generation engineers from Japanese teams that participated in the 2025 BWSC—Kogakuin University, Osaka Institute of Technology, Tokai University, and Wakayama University—shared their technical challenges and sustainability efforts during the competition. Bridgestone’s mining business partners—BHP Japan Inc. and Rio Tinto Japan—who play a vital role in the Australian industry where the BWSC is held, also attended the event.

Comment from His Excellency Justin Hayhurst, Ambassador of Australia to Japan:
“It was an honor to co-host this celebration of the 2025 BWSC with Bridgestone. This remarkable event across the heart of Australia showcases cutting-edge technology that contributes to environmental sustainability. I congratulate the talented young engineers and universities who are driving innovation forward.”

Comment from Shuichi Ishibashi, Global CEO and Representative Executive Officer, Bridgestone Corporation:
“We are truly delighted to share the success of the 2025 BWSC with the teams and partners who joined us in this challenge, as well as everyone connected to Australia, the host country. The BWSC and sustainable motorsports serve as a ‘mobile laboratory’ for Bridgestone, and the BWSC is also an exciting stage where university teams from around the world compete to drive innovation. Together with our co-creation partners, we will continue to support the challenges of next-generation engineers while pursuing innovation and sustainability ourselves. Bridgestone is committed to being essential to the future of mobility by fostering co-creation through empathy, driven by our passion for racing and for realizing a sustainable mobility society together with our partners.”