Sony Announces New Management Structure Kenichiro Yoshida named as President and CEO

Tokyo, February 2, 2018 -- Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Kenichiro Yoshida, currently Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Executive Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2018. Kazuo Hirai, currently Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, will become Director, Chairman, also effective April 1, 2018.

[UCForce]

It’s been a honor, sir.

[NotanotherReboot]

I think you need to stop being so loyal to a company

[UCForce]

And you need to stop calling yourself a PS fans. You bashing Sony too many time. You are still cynical. I just read it again. Kaz is now Chairman and Board of directors.

[NotanotherReboot]

@Twoforce

I've preordered SOTC

[UCForce]

You are already preordered SOTC and I know you have PS4 which you already told me. But doesn’t change that you are still cynical for good reason. You are still stuck in the nostalgia way too much. I’m not talking to SOTC remake which I do think the game deserves the praise. I’m talking your attitude.

[trooper_]

The irony.

[Lokii]

Ms fanboys are worse.

[rainslacker]

And you need to stop just spewing rampant hate as if Sony can do nothing right.

Two sides of the same coin that can't see the other side I guess

[S2Killinit]

@Frinker
I don't think he is saying anything serious. Don't take everything so seriously.

[DarXyde]

UCForce,

Word of advice:

Dont believe everything you read on the internet. There are more than a handful of people on this site claiming they own a console or have preordered whatever.

Always be skeptical.

[Weeblordbad]

No it hasn't, you don't even know the guy, he's a stranger, you're a stranger.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

Are you so pathetic you need to pay homage to a business man who's 1 mission is to take as much money from you as possible? Please tell me, what is it about the company you "love"? The owners? They are faceless shareholders who change on an hourly basis. Or is it the products they make? Well they change all the time too. Or is it the people that make said products? Well I hate to break it to you, but Sony uses 3rd party manufacturers like foxcon to make their products.

[S2Killinit]

Umm, did you really read that as a serious comment that needed your rant? He can say what he wants. I don't think he meant that "literally", unless he is delusional.

[cooperdnizzle]

What’s wrong with agreeing with the Philosophy of a company? You live in the free market, company’s make good decision and bad decision all the time. Reward the good and neglect the bad.

Sony at this moment is doing very good things and have been for the past 6 7 years. Every company wants your money duh!

Welcome to the world, it’s how they go about getting your money that can make them very well or very horrible.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

@s2killinit yes, I did read it as a serious comment, because this is n4g, where Sony fanboys put the sony company on a pedestal above anyone or anything. He obviously meant what he said, as he defended his comment to numerous people. But you are 100% right, he is delusional.

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

@cooperndizzle you do realise that the "philosophy of a company" changes all the time too? With the financial wind usually. Anyway, no big company has any true "philosophy" other than make as much money as possible for their shareholders and directors. To think anything else is very, very naive.

[AspiringProGenji]

What is your problem? Let him be! He isn’t doing anything to you. Do you get salty just because he “loves” a company you don’t? When Phil Spencer got promoted l, his fanboys were also honoring him. Where were you then?

[Prem8tuaProcrastin8a]

@aspiringprogenji if you can't see anything wrong with fawning over a businessman you have the same problem he does. The man did nothing but try to make as much money for Sony as possible, in order to further his career, don't pretend he is some sort of philanthropist who deserves the kind of respect you are giving him, because, like nearly all high level businessmen, he isn't. He didn't create games, he didn't do anything for the good of humanity, he just made money for himself and his friends by investing in the right projects. The real heroes of the game industry are the writers, coders, artists, actors and producers who make games as good as they are, not the money men.

[Wintersun616]

"AN" for f**k's sakes.

[babadivad]

The cringe.

[Retroman]

Wonder what cause the Sudden change ? Kaz you still the man.

[UCForce]

Journalist said : “The short of it is that without Kaz Hirai, there’s a good chance the Sony we see today wouldn’t have survived the way it did. The company owes much to him and it’s a shame to see him step aside.” Look, I get it that Kaz is very important to Sony and PlayStation and I understand that but it’s Kaz choice. The new guy who will be current CEO Of Sony. It could be worse or better. But I do know this that Jack Tretton have been replaced by Shawn Layden. In E3 2014, Shawn Layden has some rough edges. But later on, he getting better. About Andrew House have been replaced by Kodera, I do have some concerns about the new guy, but I did read Kodera background and he did worked with House closely. So I do hope Kodera keep House promise.

[rainslacker]

Will be sad to see him go. Always loved seeing him speak, even those awkward moments, and his love of gaming is always apparent. He was great at restructuring Sony, and I think that because of him, he made PS brand a hugely important thing for Sony, which as a gamer I think is great for us.

[UCForce]

I agree with you. But it his choice to resign.

[rainslacker]

I'm not criticizing him and I hope he does well in his future endeavours. Still doesn't mean he won't be missed

[UCForce]

I do hope PS brand and community will continue.

[Cryptcuzz]

Of course PS Brand and community will continue. Nothing last forever as they say, but one thing is for certain and that is PS will continue.

[AspiringProGenji]

This just reminded me that the Kaz Hiray Parody twitter account is also stepping down after next E3 as the guy said. Sad!

[thatguyhayat]

Seriously? That guy tweets a load of funny tweets

[XiNatsuDragnel]

It's been wonderful my dude

[OB1Biker]

Kaz did great for ps gaming. Hopefully Yoshida too

[PhoenixUp]

Kaz no! You were the best part of Sony’s E3 2006 conference...and you saved Sony in the early 2010s I guess

[fluxmulder]

Wow. End of an era.

[UCForce]

Why ? Do you really think PS going to be trouble without him ? It’s his choice and there is no way we convince him to stay.

[Fishy Fingers]

It’s just an expression.

[Weeblordbad]

Why are you so sensitive? They don't care about you, people who identify as "fans" are just hilarious.

[DarXyde]

WeebLord,

Allow me to offer a lesson with a true story about myself:

In real life, I'm an incredibly sarcastic person. My text is often sarcastic too. Many moons ago, I was an undergrad in a lab. One of my lab partners who ended up being my significant other is Chinese. I'm not. Periodically, she'd have to rush to her next class while I stayed to collect data. I remember once when she shot me a text asking if she left a set of expensive biofeedback sensors in a hospital grade disinfectant. I wrote back something along the lines of "advisor saw them in the disinfectant, got super pissed and said something about hoping you were a second born daughter". So about an hour later, my advisor emails me asking why she wrote this long winded apology. Some standouts were "my parents love me dearly" and "I'm very sorry and I hope you recognize me as the firstborn I truly am". She's gotten much better about it, almost as bad as me.

SO!... why did I share that story? Think about the person you replied to, what you wrote, and make a connection.

[THC CELL]

Na its a start of a new era and he will brush off onto new leaders

[Jmanzare]

In order for a new Era to begin one must end.. Sooooo...

[Gazondaily]

Take care Kaz bruh. You did well

[Kavorklestein]

Look how many disagrees you got.
Jeez guys, are you guys THAT intense? Like a witch hunt mob that follows him around and in effect, you're saying Septic shouldn't even pay respects to Kaz Hirai?

[strayanalog]

Well, Kaz, I hope you enjoy your sidestep good sir. Oh, and "Riiiiidge Raccceeerrrr" still haunts my dreams.

[Evolve]

Thank you so much, Kaz. You and Jack Tretton will always be my PlayStation heros for ever.

[UltraNova]

Great fun guy. Never saw him as a suit. He was a gamer first and foremost.

Respect.

Best of luck Hirai San.

[UCForce]

I think you read it again. He isn’t just Chairman, but he is also a board directors.

[Vanfernal]

He will still be with Sony supporting the PS brand. I just hope that Sony continues its vision and momentum moving forward.

[UCForce]

Oh, I see.

[BlaqMagiq1]

Good luck to Kaz Hirai. He was essential to Sony's success.

[Xenophon_York]

Always mixed emotions when a respected, successful and major influence of a beloved industry moves on. Still, I suppose there's not a better time to transfer your energy to a new venture than when your hot as the sun.

May your trail of success become a freeway to legend, Kaz Hirai San.

[UCForce]

He isn’t just a Chairman but also a board directors. I just read it again.

[Fishy Fingers]

Pretty common for the chairman (of the board) to be on the board. Clue is in the position name.

[Strafe]

UCForce hasn't got a clue.

[YEP414]

Sony not doing good as you sony fan boyz think!!! Some numbers not ritte!!! They not hitting they forcast!!!
Thats why microsoft going the direction they going!! Microsoft buy PlayStation! Cause Sony obviously dont wont it!!!

[OB1Biker]

I dont know if Sony wontit but you cant beat this:
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[MasterCornholio]

This comment reads like a meltdown.

[Weeblordbad]

.... I just... I can't believe it. I really thought UCForce had won most asinine, stupid, defensive comment trophy. But then you gallop in here, in what I can only hope is a trolling attempt.

Close the browser, leave your phone or computer and find a book. We have to much of this is muddying the waters in here as it is.

[rainslacker]

They've exceeded every forecasted number since the ps4 launched.

[Razzer]

Something about this post is just “not ritte”

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Sony is going great guns atm, they're doing in all their business interests.

What planet are you on? MS ain't buying no one, buying MINECRAFT was a huge mistake. That 2 billion should have been in invested into new ips and studios.

It's the same problem with MS and it's fans, you lot just don't get it. Never have and never will.

[joeorc]

Microsoft cannot buy playstation, because the LLC of PlayStation is a non public IPO, again as well as there most likely is triggers even if Microsoft bought the main holding corpus the PlayStation LLC gets first buy back of its stock option trigger of which was valued at its initial valuation of the 1993 Corpus of 3 million..so no..good luck with that..😏👏

Japanese are notorious anti west practice of vulturistic aggressive hostile take overs

[Father__Merrin]

Good luck Kaz

He was a staple figure last gen

[spambot0815]

guess we need new .gifs then. ;-)

[PistolsAtDawn]

Nice deceptive headline

[BigKev45]

Kazuo, come work for Philly, lol.

[WickedLester]

I don't mean to sound all "cloak and dagger" but I am a bit miffed at all the corporate shakeup going on at Sony. Especially at a time when Sony is stronger than it's been in years.

[trooper_]

What shakeup?

This isn't bad news...

[WickedLester]

Andrew House only a couple of months ago.

[trooper_]

Okay?

People switch jobs everyday...

[OffRoadKing]

People naturally progressing in their careers isn't a corporate shakeup, you can take off the cloak my dude.

[Ashlen]

These are all gentlemen who have worked in the industry for years (Kaz is 57). At some point you don't want to put on a suit and go into the office anymore. They have earned their retirement.

[YEP414]

Sony playstation numbers not rite..why would you do a oveehaul if your bumbers is greater than ever!! Dont believe it

[Lokii]

It still amazes me when I remember that sony never really had an interest in consoles. And look were they are now. Thanks nintendo lol

[Nodoze]

Kaz does all the hard work, heavy lifting and is rewarded with this? This proves there is no loyalty at all. Sony would be DEAD without Kaz. Now they flip him off and remove him?? Wow. I do not get this at all. Bunch of morons on the board that are going to destroy the company. Watch.

[Razzer]

Dude....relax. He isn’t being fired. This is all happening based on Hirai’s own proposal.

“The above management transition was proposed by Mr. Hirai to the Sony Nominating Committee, and following deliberation by the Nominating Committee, was approved by the Sony Board of Directors at a Board meeting held earlier today. ”

[NarooN]

Kaz is planning his retirement. He requested this move. Get a clue, dude

[pyroxxx]

good.--yoshida is smart,.. wish it was our Yoshida

[TallonIV]

Riiiiiidege RAceeeerrrr! XD

[Harkins1721]

Thank you Kaz!!

[KryptonKronos]

None of this means anything to me. Some bloke got re structured as the president of astronautic monkey space cadets. No idea what any of this means.

[Kavorklestein]

You're not really from Krypton are you?

[KryptonKronos]

Was it that obvious?

[DialgaMarine]

He’s from the time when Sony was a $200 billion corporation that was changing the face of technology. I think that’s a good sign he has some ideas up his sleeve.

[PUBG]

I was under the impression that Kaz was doing a really good job. It would be interesting to know the reasons behind his departure.

[mercyblades]

Travel time was taking a toll on him. He wants to spend more time with his family back in California.

[zodiac909]

A legend. I'm gonna miss this guy for sure.
'RIIIIIIIIDGE RACERRRR!!!!"