Yoshida will replace Kaz Hirai as CEO of Sony starting April 1st - Kaz officially chairman of Sony

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We're only a few hours away from Sony's latest quarterly earnings report, but Sony has announced that CEO Kaz Hirai will be replaced as of April 1st. While CFO Kenichiro Yoshida is named as his replacement, Hirai will become Chairman, just as Howard Stringer did when Hirai replaced him in 2012. Hirai will retire as CEO with Sony in a much better state than when he took over, after turning its businesses around under his One Sonystrategy.

Yoshida has proven himself as a key player in the turnaround since rejoining Sony in 2013, prioritizing the PlayStation business that has been a visible sign of the company's resurgence. Under Yoshida's leadership, Sony will announce a new plan for the future and new management structure on April 1st.

In a statement, Hirai said "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." According to Yoshida, "My first priority will be to finalize our next mid-range corporate plan starting in April, together with our immediate business plan for the fiscal year 2018, and then move ahead swiftly with implementation."

Come on people, this is a big deal! Kaz did made Sony profitable, and Yoshida did a phenomenal job pushing the PS4 to the success it is, which is why Yoshida is promoted as CEO

Hmm interesting.

This is a big deal, but I'm not sure how related this is to SW.

I wouldn't say it's worthy of being closed, but I'm just wondering if maybe people don't see a reason to respond to it.

Gearing up for PS5 business soon. 2020 here we come.

Kaz killed Xbox now he's going to kill Microsoft!

@FireEmblem_Man: Sorry dude but...

Let's face it Don Mattrick sold more PS4's then both of them combined.

remember this is a different yoshida

its this guy...never heard of him before.

@KBFloYd said:

remember this is a different yoshida

its this guy...never heard of him before.

what? it's not shu?

While this is more than business news than video game news, is there a difference between a CEO and chairman of a company?

Hahahahahaahahha Ridddddddggggggeeeee Raaaaaaacccccccceeeerrrrr!!!!!! ;)

I think Microsoft did most of the job on destroying the Xbox brand.

Amazing stuff. So Kaz is now the chairman?

I was hoping Shu was going to be the CEO, it’s not Shu?

Sorry, but I thought this was some kinda ultra-early April Fool's joke when I read the thread title.

All hail the new King! Seriously though, hopefully he's as passionate about PS as Kaz was.

As the OP noted, it's not Shu, it's Kenichiro

While PS4 did indeed outdo Xbox this gen, you're nuts if you even think Sony has enough money to take on a giant like MS.

Meh. Kevin Butler or bust.

Yoshida gifs won't be as funny as Kaz ones.

This is what happens when a Sagittarius man gets arrogant to the point of delusion... Still enjoyed the PS3 though.

@adsparky: we still got Phil Spencer gifs :p

Maybe PS4 will finally see greatness now.

It was mostly Don Mattrick that killed the Xbox brand w/his All-in-One TV box plan for the Xbox One.

Kaz did a great job.

Japanimeeeeee Goooooooo!

@me2002 said:

@KBFloYd said:

remember this is a different yoshida

its this guy...never heard of him before.

what? it's not shu?

And here I was thinking OP was talking about the Broshida.

@KBFloYd said:

remember this is a different yoshida

its this guy...never heard of him before.

Is it me? Or does he look far more serious than Kimishima?

@Jag85 said:

@me2002 said:

@KBFloYd said:

remember this is a different yoshida

its this guy...never heard of him before.

what? it's not shu?

And here I was thinking OP was talking about the Broshida.

Nope! I thought I would trick people a bit :P

Not a fan of a bean counter being CEO, but I don't care enough to look up this guy's full job history.

You will be missed Kaz.

Thank you.

Now let the Kaz gifs flow over my body. I'm ready.

Kaz did a great job, hopefully his replacement will be able to do the same and with the same passion.

*Salute* Kaz Hirai..domo.. :)

Before Kaz took over the company was worth 9 billion and on the verge of bankruptcy, now its worth 60 billion. Thats a pretty impressive rebound in 6 years.

Yes, well deserve being the chairman of Sony. He saved the company.

Sony has been making a big comeback in recent years under Kaz:

• PS4 dominated the console gaming market for years without much competition, up until the Nintendo Switch.
• Sony Pictures has become profitable again, especially with movies like Spider-Man, Jumanji and Baby Driver.
• Sony Music has become profitable again, especially with the wide adoption of streaming.
• Sony televisions are starting to become relevant again, particularly in the OLED market.
• Sony image sensors have been widely adopted by most mobile phones, including Apple and Samsung phones.

He was always the one saving it. Even a few years ago, it was the Playstation division bringing in the money (which he had a hand in), now Sony is doing well for itself.