RyojiChubachi
Latest
Sony's Howard Stringer consolidates power as president resigns
If you thought Sony's economic woes and unprecedented layoffs would bring an end to Sir Howard Stringer's reign at Sony, think again. It's Sony president, Ryoji Chubachi, that will step down in April leaving Sir Howard to take over the presidency in addition to his current roles as chairman and CEO. Chubachi will become a vice chair while Stringer takes direct control of Sony's core electronics division. Don't let us down Howie.Update: Additional details have emerged following a Sony press conference. Sony electronics will be organized into two main groups: (1) the Networked Products and Services Group, lead by PlayStation boss (and our buddy) Kaz Harai, will consolidate Sony's PlayStation console, VAIO PCs, Walkman audio products, new mobile products and Media Software and Services to ensure a common platform with access to the PlayStation Network, and (2) the New Consumer Products Group, under Hiroshi Yoshioka, that will unite Sony's Bravia televisions with its digital imaging, home audio, and video business. All of which reports direct to Stringer.
Sony president says no more PS3 price cuts for the US
In a recent Reuters interview, Sony president Ryoji Chubachi said, "we've announced the price cut in the US and have no additional plans beyond that at this time." Um, okay. They DID just announce the PS3 price cut two weeks ago. Dropping the price again so soon would be quite silly (at least, from a business standpoint). Or, and this is just a crazy theory of ours, maybe he is pre-announcing another price cut, by way of saying there isn't one, when it's already planned, right around the upcoming holiday season. Stranger things have happened, but looking back at all the price cut denials before the announcement of the $100 price cut before E3 certainly makes it seem all the more plausible.[Via GamesDigest]
Sony has "no plans" to cut PlayStation 3 price
Wait a tick -- if Sony has "no plans" to hack off a cool hundie from the price of its PlayStation 3, what mothership is directing Circuit City? In a brief blurb that can't exactly be taken as the unequivocal truth, Sony President Ryoji Chubachi told Reuters that "at present, we have no plans" to lower the pricetag attached to its PS3 console. Of course, we mustn't forget those contradicting reports showing that Sony actually has been mulling PS3 price cuts since the beginning of this year, and better yet, Sony's been known to deny blatantly obvious price alterations a time or two before. So there you have it, a denial that reeks of non-denial, but even analysts are betting that Sony (officially) trims at least a Benjamin from the machine in the relatively near future.
Sony prez: we were "slow to react" to exploding batteries
In what may be the biggest understatement of 2006, Ryoji Chubachi (pictured), president of Sony, told the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun that his firm was slow to react to the exploding battery fiasco. "The company should have investigated the cause of the battery problem more quickly," he said. "The worries over the batteries spread as a result." In the interview, Chubachi also argued that Sony was not on the decline, despite the fact that it's had to take a $561 million hit for the battery recalls -- not to mention the continuing PS3 problems, shortages and subsequent consequences. "Either way, it was a process of challenges, still showing the Sony spirit," Chubachi added. We understand Sony's esprit de corps, but given all of its problems, we'd sure like to see a renaissance right about now. [Via Reg Hardware]
