Akio Morita
Born 1921 · Age 105
Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony Corporation; influential global business leader who led Sony's expansion from a small postwar shop into a worldwide electronics and entertainment company.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Nagoya, Japan
Born into the Morita sake-brewing family in Kosugaya (near Nagoya); 15th-generation heir to family business traditions.
Entered higher education (Eighth Higher School / path to Osaka Imperial University)
Advanced to the prestigious Eighth Higher School preparing for Osaka Imperial University (physics track); formative period in mathematics and electronics.
Graduated Osaka Imperial University (BS in Physics)
Completed degree in physics at Osaka Imperial University (then Osaka Imperial), specialized in applied physics.
Commissioned in Imperial Japanese Navy
Commissioned as a sub-lieutenant (engineering/technical role) and assigned to wartime research on heat-seeking/infrared systems; met Masaru Ibuka in Navy research group.
Postwar contact with Masaru Ibuka
Saw article about Ibuka's radio repair/telecommunications venture in Tokyo and began correspondence that led to joining him.
Co-founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (pre-Sony)
With Masaru Ibuka founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation) in Tokyo with ~20 employees and initial capital ¥190,000 (funding from Morita's father).
Relocated company premises to Gotenyama
Moved operations from burned-out Ginza premises to Gotenyama area; company continued product experimentation (e.g., rice cooker attempt).
Developed magnetic recording tape
Company developed magnetic recording tape technology, an important step toward tape recorders sold in Japan.
Sold Japan's first tape recorder
Released and sold the company's first tape recorder in Japan (initial sales skewed to schools after consumer uptake slow).
Married Yoshiko Kamei
Married Yoshiko Kamei; they later had three children.
Negotiated license for transistor technology
Traveled to the U.S. and secured licensing/purchase of transistor rights (deal completed around 1953–1954), enabling Sony to create transistor consumer products.
Introduced AM transistor radio (first consumer transistor product)
Sony produced an AM transistor radio for consumers; marked first practical application of transistor tech to mass-market electronics.
Launched pocket-sized (fully transistorized) radio
Released a pocket-sized radio—the first to be fully transistorized—which became an international success and established Sony's reputation abroad.
Adopted the name 'Sony' for products and company (name change)
Company name changed from Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo to Sony (sources vary between 1957–1958); name chosen for global ease of pronunciation and brandability.
Founded Sony Corporation of America
Established Sony Corporation of America (SONAM / SCA) and began building direct sales channels in the U.S.; Morita moved to the U.S. to lead expansion.
First Japanese company listed on NYSE (ADRs)
Sony became the first Japanese company to offer shares on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), opening global capital access.
Published 'Gakureki Muyō Ron' (Never Mind School Records)
Authored bestselling book advocating that school records are not the only path to success; influenced hiring and HR thinking in Japan.
Founded CBS/Sony joint venture in Japan
Set up a joint venture (CBS/Sony) to produce music 'software' to pair with Sony hardware—an early vertical integration into content.
Sony products used on U.S. Apollo mission
Sony tape recorders were carried on the Apollo mission—an important credibility milestone for product reliability internationally.
Became President of Sony
Succeeded Masaru Ibuka as president (Ibuka had served 1950–1971); Morita steered company strategy and global marketing.
Trinitron TV awarded Emmy; Golden Plate Award
Sony's Trinitron received an Emmy (first product to receive this honor); Morita received Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
Presided over San Diego TV plant groundbreaking; aided US-Japan business deals
Led opening of Sony manufacturing in San Diego (U.S. manufacturing expansion) and helped General Motors in its acquisition interest in Isuzu.
Sony achieved first $1 billion sales year
Sony's sales reached its first billion-dollar year, a major corporate milestone reflecting international success.
Released first Betamax home VCR
Introduced Betamax home videocassette recorder (1975) — pioneering home VCR product that later competed with VHS.
Named Chairman of Sony
Masaru Ibuka retired; Morita transitioned to chairman of Sony Corporation and took on CEO-level responsibilities.
Launched Walkman portable cassette player
Introduced the Walkman (1979), one of the world's first portable personal music players—massively influential consumer product.
Entered financial services (Sony Prudential Life JV)
Sony formed Sony Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture with The Prudential Life Insurance Co. of America, marking diversification into finance.
Launched first commercial compact disc player (CDP-101)
In 1982 Sony released the world's first compact disc player (CDP-101) and co-developed the CD format with Philips; also introduced 3.5-inch floppy structure.
Awarded the Albert Medal (Royal Society of Arts)
First Japanese recipient of the Albert Medal for contributions to technological and industrial innovation and international trade.
Introduced Discman series; received Legion of Honour
Extended Walkman brand to portable CD players (Discman) and received France's Legion of Honour for contributions to industry and culture.
Published autobiography 'Made in Japan'
Released Made in Japan (autobiography), outlining his business philosophy and Sony's history.
Received International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award
Awarded the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by the University of Manitoba; Sony continued global expansion.
Acquired CBS Records Group (~$2B)
Sony purchased CBS Records Group (Columbia, Epic, etc.) as part of major vertical integration into entertainment (purchase widely reported at ~$2 billion).
Acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment (1989)
Sony acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment (Columbia, TriStar, etc.) to form Sony Pictures Entertainment—major move into film and entertainment.
Norio Ohga succeeded as CEO
Norio Ohga, a long-time Sony executive, succeeded Morita as chief executive officer; Morita remained chairman.
Co-authored 'The Japan That Can Say No'
Co-authored a controversial book with Shintaro Ishihara criticizing aspects of American business practices; later distanced himself from some English translations.
Awarded First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure
Received Japan's First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan.
Elected to the American Philosophical Society
Elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society, recognizing contributions to technology and international business.
Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; awarded honorary KBE
Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and awarded an honorary British knighthood (KBE) in the same period, recognizing international stature.
Suffered cerebral hemorrhage (stroke)
Suffered a major stroke/brain hemorrhage while playing tennis; left partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair (date commonly reported as Nov 1993).
Received IEEE Founders Medal
Awarded the IEEE Founders Medal in recognition of distinguished corporate leadership and contributions to consumer electronics.
Stepped down as Sony chairman
Retired as chairman on November 25, 1994 due to health issues; succeeded by Norio Ohga; named honorary chairman or founder figure.
Awarded Japan Society Award
Received the Japan Society Award for contributions to better U.S.–Japan understanding (post-stroke period active in cultural/business diplomacy).
Named in Time's list of 20 most influential business people of the 20th century
Included as the only Asian among Time magazine's 20 most influential business people of the 20th century (Time 100 Builders & Titans segment).
Posthumously awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
Posthumous national honor awarded in recognition of lifetime contributions to Japan and global industry.
Hospitalized for illness
Admitted to a Tokyo hospital in August 1999; health remained poor following earlier stroke complications.
Died in Tokyo (pneumonia)
Died on October 3, 1999 in a Tokyo hospital at age 78; left a major legacy in global electronics and entertainment.
Anaheim University business school renamed in his honor
Anaheim University's Graduate School of Business renamed the Akio Morita School of Business in recognition of the Morita family's support and legacy.
Key Achievement Ages
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