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Sony's outgoing CEO, Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai.
- Sony CEO Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai will step down from the role at the end of the fiscal year in March.
- He will be replaced by the current CFO, Kenichiro Yoshida, who worked with Hirai over the past six years on the unifying "One Sony" strategy.
- The company will report its Q3 earnings on Friday, where it expects yet another successful quarter, and might give more guidance on the longer-term strategy under Yoshida.
Sony's Kazuo Hirai is stepping down from his role of chief executive officer (CEO), The Verge first reported.
Hirai, who took over the role almost six years ago, will become the company's chairman, while CFO Kenichiro Yoshida will inherit the top spot. Chief strategy officer Hiroki Totoki will replace him as CFO.
Hirai and Yoshida have been credited with the company's successful turnaround over the past few years, with business decisions like the letting go of the VAIO PC division and a renewed focus on profitable areas, such as PlayStation and the components arm.
Yoshida will continue the "One Sony" vision laid out by Hirai, officially stepping in at the end of the fiscal year this March.
"Mr. Yoshida combines a deeply strategic mindset with a relentless determination to achieve defined targets, and the ability to take a global viewpoint," Hirai said in a statement reported by The Verge.
"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," he added.
"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."
Yoshida said that he will keep focusing on long-term growth, and "aim to build on the business foundations established by Mr. Hirai."
He said: "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."
Sony might expand on its strategy when it reports its Q3 earnings later today (Friday, February 2), where it's forecasting a 630 billion yen ($5.73 billion/£4.03 billion) operating profit.