Norio Ohga

Norio Ohga|大賀 典雄|Ōga Norio|otherwise spelt Norio Oga, born January 29, 1930 in Numazu, Shizuoka – April 23, 2011, Tokyo) a Japanese electronics businessman who originally trained as an opera singer. After being dissatisfied with the low quality of a Sony Corporation tape recorder, he sent a critical letter to the company that resulted in his being offered a job, and he rose through the company's management. He was made the president of Sony in 1982, and the CEO of Sony in 1989.

In 1994 he succeeded co-founder Akio Morita as Sony chairman. The next year he selected Nobuyuki Idei as the company's next president, a decision he later told author John Nathan appalled 99 out of 100 people at the company, and it led to a sweeping reorganization of the company. Indeed, Idei only lasted until 2005 until he was succeeded by Howard Stringer. Idei became Co-CEO with Ohga in 1998, and sole CEO in 1999.

In 2000 he became semi-retired, staying Chairman of the Board while Idei became Executive Chairman, and on his 73rd birthday in 2003 Ohga retired from the board and became Honorary Chairman.

External links

• Press release on his retirement, with career timeline