Nobuyuki Idei
Born 1937 · Age 88
Japanese business executive; president/CEO/chairman of Sony (1995–2005); later founder of Quantum Leaps Corporation and director/advisor for multiple global companies.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Tokyo, Japan
Nobuyuki Idei was born in Tokyo. His father was a professor of economics at Waseda University.
Joined Sony Corporation as trainee
Joined Sony's international division soon after graduation; began working with co-founders Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka as a marketing trainee.
Graduated Waseda University (Political Science & Economics)
Completed undergraduate degree in political science and economics at Waseda University (Tokyo).
Leave to study at Graduate Institute, Geneva
Took a leave from Sony to enroll in a PhD program at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (studied under Wilhelm Röpke); did not complete the doctorate.
Reassigned to manage Sony operations in Europe
Sony re-hired Idei and moved him to Europe to manage the company's continental businesses.
Marriage and family (approximate)
Nobuyuki Idei was married and had a daughter (the public sources note his family but do not provide dates; this entry uses a conservative estimated year).
Helped establish Sony France S.A.
Led efforts to establish Sony's French subsidiary, Sony France.
Named general manager, Audio Division (Sony)
Promoted to general manager of Sony's audio division, marking a major step in corporate leadership.
Senior General Manager, Home Video Group
Appointed senior general manager of Sony's home video group, expanding leadership responsibilities in consumer electronics.
Appointed Director of Sony Corporation
Became a director of Sony Corporation, entering the company's formal board-level management.
Named Managing Director of Sony
Promoted to managing director, continuing a steady succession of senior promotions within Sony.
Began sweeping corporate reorganizations at Sony
Initiated major restructuring including trimming the board from 38 members to about 10 and adding outsiders to boards; reform aimed at modernizing corporate governance.
Appointed President and COO of Sony Corporation
Formally tapped as President and Representative Director (President & COO) — marked his arrival as Sony's operational leader.
Asia's Businessman of the Year (Fortune)
Recognized by Fortune magazine as 'Asia's Businessman of the Year'.
Awarded Légion d'honneur (France)
Received the French government's Légion d'honneur in recognition of contributions to industry and French-Japanese relations.
Named co-CEO of Sony
Formally named co-chief executive officer (co-CEO) of Sony, sharing top executive responsibilities.
Named sole CEO of Sony
Elevated from co-CEO to sole chief executive officer (CEO) of Sony; consolidated executive authority.
AIBO and PlayStation-led entertainment expansion
Under Idei's leadership Sony accelerated digital entertainment initiatives, including robotics (AIBO) and growth of PlayStation and entertainment divisions.
Became Executive Chairman; Kunitake Andō named President
While Norio Ohga remained chairman of the board, Idei became executive chairman and Kunitake Andō became president; continued to drive Sony's digital convergence vision.
Appointed Chairman, Japanese Government IT Strategy Council
Appointed to lead Japan's government IT Strategy Council; contributed to national internet and IT policy development.
Advisory roles at Tsinghua University and CEIBS
Appointed to advisory boards (Tsinghua University SEM's Advisory Board and CEIBS International Advisory Board); dates not precisely stated.
Shift to digital convergence & product prototypes
Directed Sony's strategic emphasis toward interconnected digital devices/services; unveiled prototypes (home video recorder programmable by mobile phone, music-download handheld, flat-screen TV/PC device and personal entertainment robot).
Vice-chairman of Japan Business Federation (Keidanren)
Served as vice-chairman of Keidanren from 2003 through 2007, representing industry on national economic policy issues.
Became sole Chairman; CEO title changed to Group CEO
On Norio Ohga's retirement Idei became sole chairman; Sony altered titles to 'group chief executive officer'.
Chairman, Waseda University Board of Trustees (appointment, approximate)
Served as Chairman of the Waseda University Board of Trustees (Graduate Institute notes his chairmanship; exact start year unspecified; listed here as part of post-Sony public roles).
Became director of Baidu / General Motors / Nestlé (board roles noted)
Recorded as a director of global firms including Baidu, General Motors, Yoshimoto Kogyo and Nestlé; exact appointment dates vary and are not always specified in sources.
Succession announced: Howard Stringer to succeed Idei
On 7 March 2005 it was announced that Sir Howard Stringer would succeed Idei as Sony chief executive on 22 June 2005.
Stepped down as Sony Chairman/Group CEO (Succession effective)
Official succession took effect on 22 June 2005 when Howard Stringer took over; Idei retired from top executive roles at Sony.
Joined Accenture board of directors
Became a member of the Accenture board, leveraging his technology and management expertise for a global consulting firm.
Joined multiple corporate boards (post-Sony)
Served on boards and as advisor for multinational firms including Nestlé, General Motors, Baidu, Monex and FreeBit (dates vary); used industry experience in advisory roles.
Founded Quantum Leaps Corporation (consulting)
Established Quantum Leaps Corporation, an executive advisory and consulting firm to assist corporate transformation and support Japanese ventures.
Joined Lenovo board of directors
Appointed to the board of directors of Lenovo (announcement dated 28 September 2011).
Retired from Accenture board
Officially retired from Accenture's board of directors on 5 February 2015.
Launched 'Adventure Village' project
Launched 'Adventure Village', a project aimed at revitalising Japan by supporting and motivating Japanese venture companies to be more adventurous.
Died from liver failure
Nobuyuki Idei died on 2 June 2022 from liver failure at age 84.
Key Achievement Ages
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