Kazuo Hirai, Sony's CEO since 2012 and the man who helmed the huge resurgence in the company's gaming division with the PS4, is to step down from his position in April this year. He will be replaced by current Sony financial executive, Kenichiro Yoshida, who has been credited with helping to turn around Sony's finances over the past few years.
"As the company approaches a crucial juncture, when we will embark on a new mid-range plan, I consider this to be the ideal time to pass the baton of leadership to new management, for the future of Sony and also for myself to embark on a new chapter in my life," Hirai said in a statement. He later confirmed that it was his idea to end his tenure as the company's CEO and he was instrumental in selecting Yoshida as his replacement.
"I believe he possesses the breadth of experience and perspective, as well as the unwavering leadership qualities required to manage Sony’s diverse array of businesses, and as such is the ideal person to drive the company forward into the future," Hirai said. He also announced that he would continue to be the acting Sony chairman for the time being, so would still have a large influence on the company's future.
For Yoshida's part in the transition, he described himself as incredibly "grateful" for the opportunity and for the trust placed in him by Yoshida at this critical time in Sony's life. He suggested that he would aim to build on the foundations of Hirai's leadership and would execute further growth measures he had planned for the coming years.
"This is a hugely exciting time at Sony as we look to our future, and together with my management team I intend to determine the best path for us to move forward, and devote my full effort to creating a better Sony that captures the imagination of our many stakeholders around the world."
This more represents the end of an era at Sony, one that saw the Japanese company go from failing electronics maker, to one of the world's leading companies once again.
Image source: MasaruKamikura
