Times are changing for PlayStation, with new Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida replacing Kaz Hirai on March 1,2018. Kaz Hirai stepped down into a chairman role.
Beginning April 1, new Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida will step into the company’s hot seat, taking over from Kazuo “Kaz” Hirai. After six years in the CEO position, Hirai will step down to the role of chairman.
In a statement reported by The Verge, Hirai spoke highly of his replacement, and the future of Sony under new guidance:
“Mr. Yoshida combines a deeply strategic mindset with a relentless determination to achieve defined targets, and the ability to take a global viewpoint… 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. As Chairman, I will of course offer my full support to Mr. Yoshida and the new management team, and do all I can to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure their future success.”
New Sony CEO Yoshida also offered a comment, stating that he has an “immediate business plan” to put into effect:
“Together with the outstanding talent we have across the Sony Group, I will aim to build on the business foundations established by Mr. Hirai, and execute further reform measures that enhance our competitiveness as a global enterprise, and enable us to realize long-term profit growth… 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. 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.”
The date of April 1 isn’t some tasteless joke. It is the beginning of the next fiscal year, and so it makes sense for Hirai to hold off until then.
I’m sure we’ll learn more about Yoshida’s plans as the year goes on. It’s sure to be an interesting time!
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