Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai is stepping down from his role on April 1st 2018 after six years as the head of the company.

He will be replaced by current Sony CFO Kenichiro Yoshida, who has held the role since April 2014. Hirai will continue to serve as a chairman at Sony.

The management transition was proposed by Hirai himself to Sony's nominating committee. In a statement, Hirai said that this was the "ideal time to pass the baton of leadership."

Pass the baton

"My successor, Kenichiro Yoshida, has supported me closely since returning to Sony in December 2013, contributing extensively beyond his remit as CFO and acting as valuable confidant and business partner, as we took on the challenge of transforming Sony together," said Hirai.

"I believe he possesses the breadth of experience and perspective, as well as the unwavering leadership qualities required to manage Sony's diverse array of businesses, and as such is the ideal person to drive the company forward into the future."

Hirai is not the only high-profile departure from Sony in recent months. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House stepped down from his role back in October 2017 to "pursue new challenges".

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