Tag: Kaz Hirai
News Saviour of Sony and King of Memes, PlayStation Legend Kaz Hirai Announces Retirement
End of an era
Kazuo Hirai is retiring. The 58-year-old has been the director and chairman of Sony for roughly a year, after he stepped down as CEO back in April 2018. Perhaps most commonly known for all the internet memes -- something that Hirai himself acknowledged during a press conference in 2016 -- it's very likely that Sony wouldn't be the...
News Sony Management Shifts See CEO Kaz Hirai Stepping Down
Will become Chairman
In a recent press release, Sony has announced a few changes to its management structure. CEO Kazuo Hirai, who has been in the top seat for six years, will be replaced by current CFO Kenichiro Yoshida. Kaz will instead adopt the roles of Director and Chairman. These changes are effective from 1st April 2018. Hirai-san led the...
News The Story of Kaz Hirai, Sony's Oddball CEO, Is Worth Reading
The suit who saved Sony
Sony was a bruised behemoth when Kaz Hirai took the helm in 2012; the company is now on the verge of recording its best-ever financial performance since all the way back in 1998. The former PlayStation president has completely transformed the juggernaut’s fortunes, then – but what is the secret to his success? A brilliant...
Weirdness Fake Kaz Hirai Announces His Retirement from Twitter
But not stepping down until after E3 2018
One of the few remaining attractions on Twitter, the outstanding CEO Kaz Hirai, has announced his retirement. The best parody account this side of Boring Milner has been a frequent source of hilarity for years now – even catching the eye of the popular ex-PlayStation executive
News You Haven't Lived Until You've Seen Kaz Hirai Jam Out with a Saxophone
Bleeding gums Kaz
Sony is closing its iconic Tokyo building in the upmarket Ginza district and temporarily replacing it with a public park ahead of the 2020 Olympics, and boss Kaz Hirai was on-hand at the closing ceremony last week to dazzle attendees with a saxophone solo. Wait… What?! Watch this: Hirai's musical cameo didn't end there, as he...
News Sony CEO Kaz Hirai Is Absolutely Raking in the Cash
Exec's salary more than doubles
According to Variety, ex-PlayStation president and current Sony CEO Kaz Hirai received a salary of $4.9 million for the fiscal year which ended 31st March – more than double his compensation from the previous year. It's the most the company has paid to a CEO since the firm was forced to reveal the wages of its top...
News Sony: There Are 100 PlayStation VR Games in Development
But will they be any good?
The year of virtual reality is already starting to ramp up, and it's a top source of discussion for Sony gaffer Kaz Hirai at CES 2016 this week. But while there's some positivity about the possibilities for the peripheral, some are sceptical that it won't get the kind of support that it needs to succeed. The former...
News Kaz Hirai Embraces Memes and GIFs During CES 2016 Presser
Yes we Kaz
The highlight of Sony's CES 2016 presser yesterday was Kaz Hirai presenting a slew of handpicked memes all based upon himself. The executive has admitted that the Japanese giant is willing to embrace its mistakes in the past, and he illustrated that again overnight, using some of parody account @KazHiraiCEO's tweets to show that the...
News Sony: PlayStation Innovation Is Simply Unparalleled
Firm committed to offering the best place to play
Sony has, on occasion, garnered a reputation for being a bit of a copy cat. Products like the PlayStation Move, for example, are often flaunted as an example of the organisation's lack of creativity. But in truth, the platform holder has been innovating since it entered the market, with the PSone's...
News Despite PS4's Success, Sony Expects to Lose a Lot of Money Again
Just a few billion
Just when things were starting to look up for Sony chief Kaz Hirai, the sky has come crashing down again. The company has quadrupled the amount of cash that it expects to lose for the current financial year, this time blaming its smartphone business on the issue. It described the problem as “the impairment of goodwill in the...
News Sony CEO Kaz Hirai Is Happy with the PS4's Success, But Wants to Do More in Japan
Hip hip Hirai
When he's not taking buckets of icy water to the head, Kazuo Hirai is fulfilling the presumably important role of Sony CEO. In a recent interview, the gaffer spoke about the PlayStation 4's remarkable success. What's more, the big-wig stated that the company learned a lot from the PlayStation 3, and that it has carried these lessons...
News Wow! Sony Gaffer Kaz Hirai Knows How to Take a Bucket of Icy Water
Wet and smiles
Kaz Hirai may be a shrewd businessman, but he’s also quite a fun character. The current Sony chief executive – who worked his way up through the ranks at PlayStation – has taken the ice bucket challenge after being nominated by brand founder Ken Kutaragi, and, unsurprisingly, he deals with the arctic drenching like a boss...
News House: Having Kaz Hirai As My Boss Is a Help and a Curse
PlayStation president spills the beans on Sony gaffer
Andrew House’s tenure as PlayStation president couldn’t have gone smoother so far. The British businessman’s first major task was to announce and release the PlayStation 4, which has already gone on to surpass the organisation’s lofty expectations. However, as part of a candid interview...
News Sony's Relying on Strong PS4 Numbers to Help Drive Its Network Services
Safety net
The PlayStation 4 is many things: a video game console, a massive cash-cow, a convenient broadcasting device, and, most importantly of all, a Resogun machine. However, it seems that Sony is also hoping that its super system will serve as a convenient
News Kaz Hirai: PS4's Success Will Be Determined by Continued Install Base Growth
Platform already profitable
There’s no doubt that the PlayStation 4 has raced out of the blocks in fifth gear, but Sony overlord Kaz Hirai reckons that the company is not resting on its laurels yet. While the firm is extremely satisfied with the success of its next-gen device to date, the intelligent executive noted that the system will be...
News Blimey, Half of All PS4 Users Are Subscribed to PlayStation Plus
Money, money, money
The PlayStation 4 is selling like hotcakes – this much we know. But what about the Japanese giant’s premium subscription service? Have people been opening their wallets for PlayStation Plus with similar speed? Well, at a recent investors meeting, Sony president Kaz Hirai revealed that around half of all PS4 users are...
News Sony Bosses Forfeit Bonuses Ahead of Billion Dollar Loss
Hip hip Hirai
There’ll be no wad in the back pocket of Sony gaffer Kaz Hirai this week, as the ex-PlayStation president – along with 40 of the organisation’s top executives – will forfeit their bonuses ahead of this week’s expected billion dollar loss. It’s believed that many of the senior employees will sacrifice a third of their annual...
Who Would Win April Fools' Day Kazuo Hirai vs. Giant Enemy Crab
Crab battle
We know what you're thinking: "It's not Wednesday! How blessed I am to be able to vote on another of my favourite weekly brawls!" Or at least, that's what we hope that you're thinking. Due to the popularity of Push Square's weekly feature, which sees popular PlayStation characters duke it out in order to determine who's the strongest, we...
News CEO Kaz Hirai Certainly Thinks Sony Has the Wow Factor
Also adores the Kylie Minogue song
Sony boss Kaz Hirai certainly made an engaging keynote speech at CES 2014. Among other things, he announced cloud streaming service PlayStation Now, looked back at previous company success stories, and outlined some more recent highlights such as Media Molecule’s delightful paper-based platformer
News Sony's Been Thinking About a PlayStation Streaming Service for a Long Time
Now you're talking
If you couldn't get enough of Kaz Hirai's inspiring CES keynote, and you're now starving for more pithy phrases and buzz words, we've got some good news for you. Engadget has posted an interview with the recently appointed president that sheds some light on the history of Sony's newly announced streaming service,
Live Watch Sony CEO Kaz Hirai's CES 2014 Keynote Right Here
Hirai five
Sony overlord and former PlayStation president Kaz Hirai only made a fleeting appearance during the Japanese giant’s CES 2014 press conference overnight, so it’s reassuring to know that the executive will get a second shot at the limelight today. The likeable Ridge Racer aficionado is set to anchor a keynote in Las Vegas imminently,...
News This Is What Kaz Hirai's Been Up to Over the Past 12 Months
Smiles and suits
Since stepping into the big office at Sony Corp, Kaz Hirai’s presence has been diminished across the gaming division. The former PlayStation president now has much bigger fish to fry than petty console disputes, such as the health of a stumbling corporation. Fortunately, the executive’s not been wasting his time playing Rid
News Kaz Hirai Is Actually Quite Fond of Being an Internet Meme
Considers it a representation of Sony's global visibility
Pack it up, E3 is cancelled – this is the hottest news that we’re likely to post all week. Speaking in an interview with SGNL, former PlayStation boss and current Sony overlord Kaz Hirai has admitted that he actually enjoys being an Internet meme, as he finds that the work that people put...
News Kaz Hirai Asserts the PlayStation 4's Focus on Games
Hip hip Hirai
Speaking at the D11 conference yesterday, Sony overlord Kaz Hirai reiterated that the PlayStation 4 is a console designed for gamers. Microsoft agitated its core fanbase earlier in the month by focusing its Xbox One unveiling on everything but games, but the former SCE president insinuated that an emphasis on strong software is...
News Sony Is Happy to Let Microsoft Reveal Its Next Console First
Anything you can do, we can do better
In between heated sessions of Ridge Racer (probably), Sony president Kaz Hirai has hinted that he’s happy for Microsoft to announce its next generation console first. Speaking with British newspaper The Times, the former SCE overlord said: "Why go first when your competitors can look at your specifications and...
News Kaz Hirai: PS Vita Sales Are on the Low End of Expectations
Looking to the long term
Speaking at a press event directly after the conclusion of last night’s CES showcase, Sony CEO Kaz Hirai admitted that PlayStation Vita sales are currently at the bottom end of the company’s expectations. “I would say it’s on the low end of what we expected,” he explained, adding that it takes time before a system...
News Kaz Hirai Claims PlayStation Vita Is Meeting Sales Targets
But lagging behind in some regions
Recently appointed Sony overlord Kaz Hirai has pointed out that the PlayStation Vita is performing near expectations globally, but that it's "trending behind in certain territories". Earlier this month, the platform holder revealed that the system had sold 2.2 million units worldwide. While Hirai wouldn’t reveal...
News Kaz Hirai's Custom PS3 Will Probably Make You Jealous
Parting gifts
Earlier this week, new Sony president Kaz Hirai formally announced his departure from the SCE board. In order to celebrate his services to the division, the company held a leaving party for the busy executive in Japan earlier this afternoon. At the event, Hirai was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a custom PlayStation 3...
News Kaz Hirai Drops Sony Computer Entertainment Chairman Role
Bigger fish to fry
New Sony president Kaz Hirai is a busy man. The former Sony Computer Entertainment gaffer has been handed the daunting task of turning the troubled Japanese manufacturer’s fortunes around. As such, the likable executive has decided to step away from his role as chairman on the SCE board. He will still serve in a part time...
News Kaz Hirai Reveals "One Sony" Rescue Strategy
Promises change
As promised, former PlayStation president and new Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has revealed his rescue strategy designed to resurrect the ailing Japanese giant. The likable executive’s speech hinged on the idea of change and unification – something Sony has been striving towards with little success for years. In his presentation, Hirai...
News Sony Preparing for Biggest Annual Loss in a Decade
The numbers aren't red enough
We find it hard to believe there’s been a smile on new Sony CEO Kaz Hirai’s face since he started his new high-power role just over a week ago. One look at the company’s balance sheet would be enough to plant a permanent frown on even the most jubilant of personalities. Indeed, Sony has warned investors today...
Rumour Sony to Cut 10,000 Jobs Before Year's End
Hirai making his mark
Sony’s financial troubles are well documented. If you’re not up to speed, then know this: the company is expected to report a whopping £2.1billion loss in its latest financial report. That’s not particularly healthy. Of course, that’s also the reason that former SCE president – and lifetime Ridge Racer fanboy – Kaz...
News Kaz Hirai to Reveal Sony Rescue Strategy This Month
No time for jokes
Expect to see the hairs on newly appointed Sony CEO Kaz Hirai’s head gently transition to a subtle shade of silver over the coming months. The fresh faced executive has announced a conference for 12th April where he’s expected to reveal his strategy to turn the troubled Japanese manufacturer around. With Sony predicted to lose...
News Hirai: "Sony Can't Go On Like This"
Must change from the top
Current Sony Computer Entertainment and future Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has spoken candidly about the company's future prospects to The Wall Street Journal. Speaking ahead of Sony's $2 billion loss in the last financial quarter, Hirai touched on the challenge facing him as the next CEO of Sony: We can't just
News Kaz Hirai Takes The Big Job At Sony, Officially This Time
Long-time Ridge Racer fan, Kaz Hirai, has been promoted to president and CEO of Sony Corp, the company announced this morning
He'll take over from Sir Howard Stringer — who will stay on as executive chairman until June — when the new roles come into effect on April 1st. Hirai's a long-time Sony employee, having cut his teeth in the...
News Kaz Hirai Debunks PlayStation 4 Chatter
The start of the year has been dominated by new console speculation
Various reports last week indicated that Sony was getting ready for an E3 reveal of its new system, but SCE gaffer, Andy House, was quick to laugh off such speculation. Now chairman Kaz Hirai's chipped in — backing up his colleague, and reiterating that there are no current plans...
News Sony Denies Kaz Hirai Promotion Reports, Says 'Nothing Has Been Determined'
Sony's affable executive, Kaz Hirai, might be around for a few more rounds of Ridge Racer just yet
Following reports that the cheery gaffer had been promoted to presidential status, the Japanese company has released a statement refuting the claims — stating that "nothing has been determined at this time". Given the comment's wording —...
Breaking PlayStation Vita Not Launching In US Or Europe Until 2012
Sony Computer Entertainment gaffer Kaz Hirai has just confirmed that PlayStation Vita will not launch until 2012 in the US or Europe
Japan will get the device before the year is out. The news comes via an Associated Press report on MSN Money, which states that the anticipated device "won't be going on sale in the US or Europe in time for...
News Kaz Hirai Promoted To Chairman Of SCEI, Andrew House Becomes CEO
What a difference a week makes -- or something
We've only been away six days or so, but the entire hierarchy of SCE has changed. Sort of, anyway. Kaz Hirai has been promoted to Chairman of SCEI, active as of September 1st. Presumably that means he will sit at the head of a big table wearing an expensive suit like in the Yakuza games. More surprising...
News Sony: There's A Lot More Headroom Left In The Ol' PlayStation 3 Just Yet
Kaz Hirai has told the Guardian that the PlayStation 3 will continue to grow even though it's already several years into its life-span
He said: One of the things that we always talked about is the 10-year life cycle. When we launched the PS3 back in 2006, one of the questions I kept getting asked was why we were putting so much technology into...
News Woah, Sony Confirms It's Selling PlayStation Vita At A Loss
Look, let's get things straight: PlayStation Vita is an amazing platform at an outrageous price
There was always going to be a catch. It seems that catch lies with Sony's bottom-line, as the company has confirmed it will be selling the Vita at a loss. We suppose that would be stomachable if it was just six months or so, but no, Sony doesn't expect...
News Kaz Hirai Addresses PlayStation Network Users, Apologises For Outage & Explains Everything
This is why Kaz Hirai is going to be the future CEO of Sony Corp
As part of the PlayStation Network restoration process, the Sony Computer Entertainment president has released a video explaining the measures that the platform holder has taken to increase its network security, and also apologise for the length of time the service has been offline...
Sony Computer Entertainment president Kazuo Hirai has apologised to PlayStation Network users regarding the data breach which compromised approximately 75 million accounts
At a refreshingly personal press briefing in Tokyo this morning, Hirai said that Sony had "learned" its lesson, before detailing a number of plans aimed at trying to win...
News Sony Schedule PlayStation Network Press Conference For Tomorrow
Sony's confirmed that Kaz Hirai will hold a press conference regarding the current PlayStation Network situation in Tokyo tomorrow
The PlayStation Network gaffer will discuss the hack, as well as Sony's plans to rectify the situation from 14:00 tomorrow Japanese time. That's early morning for those of you in the UK, around 5:00AM. Hopefully Kaz can...
News Kaz Hirai Mentions PlayStation 4, Claims Sony Aren't Even Debating About It
PSwhen?
With the PlayStation 3 slowly coming into its own, and the excellent looking NGP on the horizon, SCE boss Kaz Hirai has revealed that the platform holder aren't even thinking about the PlayStation 4 right now. Which probably doesn't mean there's not an R&D team working on it, but it's clearly not part of the company's immediate plans...
News Kaz Hirai: Sony Aiming To Match And Exceed PSP's Install-Base With NGP
The PlayStation Blog's put up an interview with Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai regarding the NGP
While the interview is naturally light on new details, a tired looking Kaz does discuss some of the reasoning behind the handheld's January announcement (nothing to do with 3DS, honest), as well as talking about Sony's success barometer...
News Sony Cool With Expanding PlayStation Suite To Other Platforms, Focusing On Android For Now
While Sony's PlayStation Suite will have humble beginnings as a PSone emulation service for Android devices, Sony's clearly aiming bigger with their mobile gaming initiative
We already know Sony plans to extend the service with new bite-sized content, but it sounds like the platform holder's also keen to bring the program to as many platforms as...
News Hirai: NGP Is Still In Prototype Phase, Price & Battery Details To Come
Sony Computer Entertainment's top-bod Kaz Hirai has said that details on NGP's price and battery have not yet been disclosed as the system is still in a prototype phase
Kaz did stress however, that Sony are aiming for targets that "should please consumers" either way. While price details are completely up in the air (analysts are guessing...
News CES 2011: Kaz Hirai Teases PlayStation-Powered Phones, Tablets, More?
Sony didn't announce the long rumoured PlayStation powered Sony Ericsson phone at their CES press conference last night
Nor did they announce the PSP2. They did however take time to acknowledge the merging of their strongest properties. Taking the stage towards the end of Sony's conference, SCE's Kaz Hirai teased that Sony's "strategy...
Report Kaz Hirai Poised For Top Job At Sony
Gunning for first
SCE's current boss, Kaz Hirai, looks like he could be "Ridge Racing" his way to the top of Sony Corp, with a Bloomberg report placing him in the hot-seat to take Howard Stringer's president role. He'll face competition from Executive Deputy President, Hiroshi Yoshioka. Stringer took Sony's presidential job in 2009, but at 69...
