Akio Morita
Born 1921 · Age 104
Japanese entrepreneur, co-founder of Sony Corporation; led Sony's globalization and product innovations (transistor radios, Walkman, CD player) and served as Sony president and chairman.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Nagoya, Japan
Akio Morita born into a long-established sake-brewing family in Kosugaya (near Nagoya).
Built ham radio and developed interest in electronics
As a youth Morita built his own ham radio and became deeply interested in electronics and sound reproduction; nearly flunked school due to obsession with electronics.
Entered Osaka Imperial University (approx.)
Began university studies in physics at Osaka Imperial University (approximate start year based on 1944 graduation).
Graduated Osaka Imperial University (BS in Physics)
Completed degree in physics from Osaka Imperial University (often listed as 1944).
Commissioned in Imperial Japanese Navy; wartime research
Commissioned as an officer (sub-lieutenant/lieutenant) and worked on Aviation Technology Center projects (thermal-guidance weapons/night-vision); where he met Masaru Ibuka.
Met Masaru Ibuka in Navy research group
Met Masaru Ibuka during wartime research (Wartime Research Committee) — partnership that later produced Sony.
Masaru Ibuka opens radio repair shop in Tokyo
Ibuka founded a radio repair shop in the bombed-out Shirokiya Department Store in Nihonbashi; Morita read about it and decided to join him shortly after.
Initial capital reported as $500 (alternate source)
Some accounts (Encyclopedia entries) cite an initial capital of approx. $500 when Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo was founded.
Early products: amplifiers, voltmeters, comms devices
Company's earliest products included amplifiers, vacuum-tube voltmeters, and communication devices for Japan Post and broadcasting agencies.
Co-founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Totsuko) — forerunner of Sony
With Masaru Ibuka and funding from his father, Morita co-founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation) with ~20 employees and initial capital reported as ¥190,000.
Company grows and relocates to former army barracks
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo grew modestly; moved to former army barracks on outskirts of Tokyo, employing ~50 people.
Developed magnetic recording tape
Company developed magnetic recording tape (Sony precursor development work leading to consumer tape recorders).
Sold first tape recorder in Japan
Sold Japan's first tape recorder (company's first consumer-market product had limited commercial success initially).
Married Yoshiko Kamei
Akio Morita married Yoshiko Kamei; couple later had three children.
Acquired transistor rights (Western Electric / Bell Labs licensing)
Morita/Ibuka secured licensing/rights to transistor technology from Western Electric/Bell Labs — pivotal for creating transistor consumer products.
Released AM transistor radio (early transistorized radios)
Sony produced successful transistor radios (helping establish Sony's global reputation).
Introduced pocket-sized transistor radio
Sony produced a pocket-sized, fully transistorized radio (marketing anecdote: Morita had staff wear shirts with bigger pockets so radio would 'fit').
Renamed company 'Sony Corporation'
Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo was renamed Sony (from Latin 'sonus' and English 'sonny') to create an internationally friendly brand.
Became executive vice-president of Sony
Morita rose in company leadership to executive vice-president (formalizing operational/strategic leadership role).
Founded Sony Corporation of America (SONAM/SCA)
Morita established Sony's American subsidiary to create direct sales/channels in the U.S.; observed US employee mobility and recruited outside talent.
Sony listed on New York Stock Exchange (ADRs)
Sony became the first Japanese company to list on the NYSE via American Depositary Receipts, opening access to global capital.
Morita moved to New York City to expand US operations
Relocated to the U.S. (mid-1960s) to set up and lead Sony's American office and better understand American consumers and business.
Released first affordable home video tape recorder
Sony introduced a home VTR priced within reach of consumers, an important product milestone for the company.
Published 'Never Mind School Records' (Gakureki Muyō Ron)
Morita wrote a book arguing that school records are not the main determinant of business success.
Introduced integrated-circuit radio and other innovations
Sony expanded product line with integrated-circuit radios, color VTRs, and other consumer electronics in mid-1960s.
Formed CBS/Sony joint venture in Japan
Established a joint venture with CBS Records (CBS/Sony) to create software (music) for Sony hardware; Morita served as president of the JV in Japan.
Became President of Sony Corporation
Morita took over as president of Sony in 1971, succeeding Masaru Ibuka (who had led 1950–1971).
Helped General Motors with Isuzu investment talks
Morita assisted GM in acquiring an interest in Isuzu (Sony involvement in broader industry/business diplomacy).
Sony awarded Emmy for Trinitron; Golden Plate Award
Sony received an Emmy for Trinitron television technology; Morita also received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1972).
Released Betamax home videocassette recorder
Sony introduced the Betamax home VCR in 1975 (later competed with VHS format).
Named Chairman of Sony (Ibuka retires)
Masaru Ibuka retired; Morita was named chairman of Sony in 1976 and continued to lead corporate strategy.
Introduced the Walkman portable music player
Sony launched the Walkman in 1979, pioneering the personal portable music market; worldwide sales would eventually exceed tens of millions of units.
Entered financial services (Sony Prudential Life Insurance JV)
Sony entered the financial business in Japan with the founding of Sony Prudential Life Insurance Co., a 50–50 joint venture with The Prudential of America.
Received Albert Medal (Royal Society of Arts)
Morita was the first Japanese recipient of the Albert Medal from the UK's Royal Society of Arts for contributions to industry and design.
Launched Sony CDP-101 (first commercial CD player) and CD format
Sony (with Philips) launched the world's first commercial compact disc player CDP-101 and promoted the new CD digital audio format.
Introduced 3.5-inch floppy disk structure (Sony)
Sony introduced the 3.5-inch floppy disk structure, which quickly became a de facto standard for storage.
Launched Discman (portable CD player); awarded Legion of Honour
Sony launched the Discman, extending Walkman brand to portable CD players; Morita received France's Legion of Honour in 1984.
Billboard Trendsetter Award for compact disc player tech
Sony/related product groups received Billboard's Trendsetter Award for breakthroughs in compact disc player technology.
Published autobiography 'Made in Japan'
Morita published Made in Japan, an autobiography and corporate history, widely read for management and entrepreneurship lessons.
Received International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (Univ. of Manitoba)
Honored by the University of Manitoba for distinguished entrepreneurial contribution.
Sony acquired CBS Records Group
Sony bought CBS Records Group (Columbia, Epic, etc.) — a major entertainment content acquisition; reported purchase price ~USD 2 billion.
Norio Ohga succeeds Morita as CEO
Norio Ohga, long-time Sony executive, assumed chief executive officer role; Morita remained chairman.
Acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment (film studios)
Sony acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment (Columbia Pictures, TriStar, etc.), expanding into film and entertainment software.
Co-authored 'The Japan That Can Say No' (with Shintaro Ishihara)
Morita co-wrote a controversial book encouraging Japanese business independence; he later distanced himself from some English translations and removed his chapters from the English version.
Awarded First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure (Japan)
Received one of Japan's highest honors (First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure) from the Emperor of Japan.
Elected to the American Philosophical Society
Morita was elected to the American Philosophical Society, recognizing his contributions to industry and international business.
Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences; awarded honorary KBE
Morita was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was awarded an honorary British knighthood (KBE) the same year.
Suffered cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) while playing tennis
Morita suffered a major cerebral hemorrhage/stroke that left him debilitated and confined to a wheelchair; recovery was prolonged.
Presented with IEEE Founders Medal
The IEEE presented Morita with its Founders Medal recognizing lifetime contributions to technology and industry (accepted on his behalf while recovering).
Stepped down as Sony chairman
Morita resigned as Sony chairman (Nov 25, 1994), succeeded by Norio Ohga; Morita became honorary chairman for a time and was later named honorary chairman/founder.
Japan Society Award for US-Japan understanding
Received the Japan Society Award in recognition of contributions to US–Japan understanding and relations.
Named in Time's '20 most influential business people of the 20th century'
Morita was the only Asian included in Time magazine's list of the 20 most influential business people of the 20th century (Time 100 special list).
Posthumously awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
After his death, Morita was posthumously awarded one of Japan's highest orders (Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun).
Hospitalized (August 1999)
Admitted to a Tokyo hospital in August 1999 for illness that preceded his death in October.
Died of pneumonia in Tokyo
Akio Morita died on October 3, 1999 at a Tokyo hospital; he was 78 years old.
Anaheim University business school renamed 'Akio Morita School of Business'
Anaheim University's Graduate School of Business was renamed in his honor, recognizing the Morita family's support for the program.
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