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source:encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com
26 Jan, 1921
03 Oct, 1999
Pneumonia
Japanese
Entrepreneur
78
Akio Morita was a Japanese businessman who was co-founder, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board of Sony Corporation. He accomplished great success with his business partner Masaru Ibuka.
He was born on January 26, 1921, in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. Morita’s family owned a sake, miso, and soy sauce production company, known as Morita Shuzō Sake Brewery. Though he was trained to take over the family business, he had different passions in mathematics and physics. He graduated from Osaka Imperial University in 1944, where he mastered physics.
In 1946, with funding from Morita’s father, Akio Morita and his business partner Masaru Ibuka co-founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, the forerunner of Sony Corporation) accompanied by 20 employees. The company mainly focused on repairing electronic equipment and producing voltmeters.
Under his leadership, Sony introduced multiple revolutionary products, including the transistor radio, the first all-transistor television, the first portable video cassette recorder (Walkman), and the compact disc (CD) player. Morita aimed to make Sony a global brand as he realized the importance of the American market. So Sony set up manufacturing plants in locations such as the United States, Europe, and Asia. In 1961, under Morita’s direction, Sony became the first Japanese company to sell its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
During the first few years of Sony, Akio Morita and his employees focused on making innovative products. One of their remarkable products was the development of the Type-G tape recorder in 1950. It was the first magnetic tape recorder in Japan. Sony also introduced the Trinitron color television in 1968, which was also made under the leadership of Morita. Morita cast an innovative partnership with CBS Records (now Sony Music Entertainment) in the late 1980s.
Akio Morita was vice chairman of the Japan Business Federation and a member of the Japan-U.S. Economic Relations Group, also known as the “Wise Men’s Group.”
In 1966, Morita wrote a book called Gakureki Muyo Ron, where he elucidated that your academic scores are not the prime factor of your success and business skills. In 1986, Morita wrote an autobiography titled Made in Japan.
In 1972, Morita obtained the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. Morita was awarded the Albert Medal by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Arts in 1982 and was the first Japanese to receive the honor.
In his final days, Akio Morita’s health had significantly declined following a stroke in 1993, leading to his retirement from Sony. He passed away on October 3, 1999, in Tokyo, Japan.
Morita’s legacy is monumental; he co-founded Sony Corporation and transformed it into a global powerhouse synonymous with innovation and quality. His visionary leadership and willingness to take bold risks revolutionized the electronics industry. He introduced iconic products like the Walkman and the Trinitron TV into homes around the world.
His contributions have left an enduring impact not only on technology and business practices, but also on the way people connect and interact with the world. Akio Morita’s pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and innovators.
Akio Morita
Akio Morita
Male
Pneumonia
Nagoya, Empire of Japan
Tokyo, Japan
He was awarded the First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan.
Morita loved to play golf and tennis and watch movies when it was rainy.
Sony was the first Japanese company to sell its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
Morita received the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award from the University of Manitoba in 1987.
Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
Legion of Honour
Time magazine’s list of the 20 most influential business people of the 20th century
Albert Medal by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Arts
Co-founder of Sony
Entrepreneur Award from the University of Manitoba