Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai is stepping down from his position after six years in the role, and will be replaced by CFO Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony announced Friday.
“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 press release. “My successor, Kenichiro Yoshida, has supported me closely since returning to Sony in December 2013 , contributing extensively beyond his remit as CFO and acting as valuable confidant and business partner, as we took on the challenge of transforming Sony together.”
The transition will take effect on April 1, 2018, at which point Hirai will continue serve as chairman and sit on the board of directors. Hirai originally joined Sony in 1984, working in the company’s music division, before joining Sony Computer Entertainment America in 1995. Four years later, he was named president and COO of SCEA, before taking over Sony’s worldwide video game business in 2006.
Yoshida was promoted to the role of CFO in 2014. In a statement, Yoshida said he plans to build on the foundations established by Hirai to “enhance our competitiveness as a global enterprise, and enable us to realize long-term profit growth.”
Liked this article and want to read more like it? Check out more by Preston Dosza here and here!
Want to see more videos? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out the First 15: Monster Hunter World Beta: the Insatiable Nergigante, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, Star Wars Battlefront II, Sonic Forces + Episode Shadow, and Super Mario Odyssey!
Don’t forget to tune in every Friday the Pixels & Ink Podcast to hear the latest news, previews, and in-depth game discussions!
Never miss when new CGM articles go out by following us on Twitter and Facebook!
CGMagazine is Canada’s premiere comics and gaming magazine. Subscribe today to get the best of CGM delivered right to your door! Never miss when a new issue goes live by subscribing to our newsletter! Signing up gives you exclusive entry into our contest pool. Sign up once, you’ll have a chance to win! Sign up today!
