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Ridge Racer Fanatic Kaz Hirai Reportedly Sony’s New President

Current CEO Howard Stringer to remain around for the time being.

Kaz Hirai, master of the hand gesture.
Kaz Hirai, master of the hand gesture.

In a move that’s been predicted for months, Japanese newspaper Nikkei (via Reuters) is reporting Kaz Hirai will soon become Sony’s president.

Hirai made a name for himself within the PlayStation division starting in 1995, moving up the ranks as the years went on and PlayStation became a more and more popular brand. Hirai was elevated to the head of Sony Computer Entertainment in 2006, just after the launch of the PlayStation 3, replacing PlayStation brainchild Ken Kutaragi, who is no longer with the company.

Divisional shakeups in 2009 and 2011 had Hirai taking on a much broader role in the company’s consumer electronics division.

It’s unclear what will happen to current Sony CEO Howard Stringer, but it appears he will not be leaving the company immediately. This move would put Hirai in place to eventually replace him.

Also, Riiiidge Racer joke somethignsomethingsomething.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

73 Comments

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RobotHamster

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Edited By RobotHamster

So I'm guessing next is president of the world?

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Undeadpool

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Edited By Undeadpool

You've let him in your house, now he can't be stopped!

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Hayamo

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Edited By Hayamo

I never really was aware of Kaz before this past E3 (never knew where the Ridge Racer joke came from) but from what I've seen of him recently he seems like a very likable guy. Whether he has good business practices I don't know but at least he's fun to watch.

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Tomzombie

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Edited By Tomzombie

and well be using ATNT. Crowd sigh's

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Lind_L_Taylor

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Edited By Lind_L_Taylor

They can't get rid of the Token American CEO. That'd be ridiculous. I've
heard American CEOs have been a trend for Japanese companies for
awhile now.  Maybe the fad has waned?

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DukeOfStress

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Edited By DukeOfStress

Congrats Hirai and good luck!

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Getz

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Edited By Getz

So wait, Playstation birthed Ken Kutaragi?

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Harpell

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Edited By Harpell

Any Ridge Racer fanatic has my vote for executive office any time, any day.

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SolidusCZ

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Edited By SolidusCZ

The new model of Playstation Move controller revealed in that photo :)

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AndrewB

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Edited By AndrewB

Hey, do any of you guys remember that one E3 years ago where Kaz Hirai shouted "Riiiiidge Racer!" incredibly loudly? Am I the only one?

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Ctmskater75

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Edited By Ctmskater75

@BulletproofMonk said:

Kaz Hirai is the smoothest motherfucker.

Yes.

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McShank

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Edited By McShank

@ptys said:

Sony's really in the shit. I don't think I'll buy another Playstation till they make some big changes. In saying that I probably won't buy the next Xbox either, hopefully someone else will come up with a better consumer product for the next gen.

Explain please your thoughts on how sony is in the shit? The vita is selling ok in japan, it has yet to launch here, And if they are smart they will fix the UMD to DL crap with the excessively high prices. The Ps3 also has practically sold the same amount of consoles as Xbox has since launch and Microsoft is having the Hacking problems now while sony is fine. I am not seeing how they are in the shit -.-

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selbie

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Edited By selbie

Hip hip, Hirai? *crickets*

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Phished0ne

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Edited By Phished0ne

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss?

*GUITARRRRSSSSSSSSS*

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Picard

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Edited By Picard

It's ridge racer. RIDDGGE RACCERR!

Congrats Kaz.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

Once Kaz becomes CEO all Sony products will be Ridge Racer oriented.

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the_OFFICIAL_jAPanese_teaBAG

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Well Im glad hes the president now.  Hes a really likeable person

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ezdude

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Edited By ezdude

Isn't there a difference between president and CEO. Perhaps both will coexist, but who knows.

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WrathOfBanja

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Edited By WrathOfBanja

Kaz is a total baller. Good job Sony!

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mehojevich

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Edited By mehojevich

Stringer was a Brit who cared about $$.
Let's see of kaz has the vision to bring all of Sony's resources together

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super2j

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Edited By super2j

@patrickklepek:

@patrickklepek said:

@DarthOrange said:

Is that a typo or is it supposed to say 2009 and 2001?

That's my bad.

Or is it your baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.

Did i do that right? i didnt pay attention when that riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge raaaaaacccceerr thing haaaaaaaaappenned.

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sandwich_adjustment

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they better give all their money to From Software because thats the only worthwhile dev they got

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DeF

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Edited By DeF

I hate PR ...

after denying it happened ... NOW they are all "hey, guess what! Kaz is our new Prez!"

this is so ridiculously stupid ...