Sony taps CFO Yoshida as new president, replacing Hirai
TOKYO (AP) — Sony Corp. named Chief Financial Officer Kenichiro Yoshida as its new president and CEO Friday, replacing Kazuo Hirai, who led a turnaround at the Japanese electronics and entertainment company and will stay on as chairman.
Yoshida has experience in Sony's U.S. operations, as well as its network, financial and investor relations businesses. Yoshida and Hirai are set to talk to reporters later Friday.
Sony's board members said they were surprised Hirai wanted to step down. But Hirai said in a statement the timing was right to "pass the baton" to the next leadership.
Hirai became president and CEO in 2012, taking over from Howard Stringer, an American.