Sony Announces Realignment in Electronics Responsibilities to Strengthen Growth and Enhance Core Product Development

JCN Newswires, Sept 25, 2006

Tokyo, Japan, Sept 25, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Effective October 1, 2006 Sony Corporation will realign certain executive responsibilities in its electronics business to strengthen its mid to long-term growth strategy, further support its core businesses, and put additional focus on the areas of product development and product quality.

Going forward under Dr. Chubachi's direction all core consumer product business will be coordinated and led by Executive Deputy President Katsumi Ihara. The semiconductor and component device businesses will be led by Yutaka Nakagawa, who will be promoted to Executive Deputy President.

Research and Development and all new business functions will be concentrated at Sony Headquarters under Dr. Chubachi's direct supervision.

One year into its revitalization plan, Sony has been able to achieve certain progress in its recovery plan for key electronics business categories. In order to continue this positive trend by best utilizing all its assets and resources, Sony has now decided to unite and streamline the core AV/IT businesses under Mr. Ihara, and focus the critical semiconductor manufacturing and component device efforts under Mr. Nakagawa. Both are proven and seasoned executives with a long track record of success and accomplishment, and Sony expects that they will provide great strength in their new assignments.

In additional announcements, Keiichiro Shimada will be promoted to President of the Technology Development Group and will oversee the development of software and technology linked to next generation products. And, as announced earlier, Makoto Kogure has assumed the position of Corporate Executive in Charge of Product Quality & Safety for the company.

New Executive Responsibilities (as of October 1st)

Katsumi Ihara

Executive Deputy President, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Member of the Board

Officer in charge of Consumer Products Group (TV & Video Business, Digital Imaging Business, Audio Business, Connect Business, VAIO Business)

President of TV & Video Business Group, President of Digital Imaging Business Group

(Currently)

Executive Deputy President, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Member of the Board

Officer in charge of Procurement Strategies, TV and Video Business

President of TV & Video Business Group

Yutaka Nakagawa (promoted)

Executive Deputy President, Corporate Executive Officer

Officer in charge of Semiconductor & Component Group (Semiconductor Business and Component Business)

(Currently)

EVP, Corporate Executive Officer

Officer in charge of Product Strategies, Digital Imaging Business and Audio Business

President of Digital Imaging Business Group

Ryoji Chubachi (President and Electronics CEO, Representative Corporate Executive Officer) is scheduled to be appointed as Officer in charge of Technology Development Group as of October 1st.

Keiichiro Shimada will leave his current position of Deputy President of Digital Imaging Business Group and is scheduled to be appointed as President of Technology Development Group as of October 1st.

About Sony

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading personal broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $67 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net

Source: Sony

Contact:

Sony Corporation
Gerald Cavanagh
Tel:  81-3-5448-2200
Fax:  81-3-5448-3061
E-mail: gerald.cavanagh@jp.sony.com

Copyright [c] 2006 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network K.K.