Bridgestone Corp., embroiled in a tire recall scandal caused by its U.S. subsidiary, announced Thursday that Senior Vice President Shigeo Watanabe will take over the presidency on March 29 from Yoichiro Kaizaki, who will become an adviser.

The tire maker also said another three executives with the right to represent the company would step down the same day.

Kaizaki, 67, has been president for eight years. He said the changes are being made to rejuvenate the firm's management team to cope with a global business environment.

He denied he was resigning to take responsibility for the recall problem at Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. in the United States.

Firestone has recalled 6.5 million tires since August after its products were linked to numerous traffic accidents in the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The U.S. subsidiary had replaced most of the tires by the end of last year.

Watanabe, 57, who is in charge of technology and quality assurance, said he will reinforce Bridgestone's efforts to rebuild Firestone and regain public trust in its products.

He also said he will promote globalization of Bridgestone's management system by introducing foreign executives to the board.

Regarding lawsuits against Firestone, Watanabe said the company will seek compromises to settle the problem as soon as possible. Bridgestone did not disclose the number of lawsuits it is facing.