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Kaz Hirai

Former CEO of Sony Corporation, Independent

Search every verified Kaz Hirai interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a 1998 interview featured on *PlayStation Underground*, Kaz Hirai, then a PlayStation executive, discussed his career path from Sony Music to the video game division. He stated that the success of both music and video games depends on high-quality software and talent. Hirai noted that the PlayStation was the number one video game platform in the United States and worldwide in terms of installed base, hardware sales, number of titles, and pricing, asserting that the company held a leadership position. Hirai emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent in the industry, citing Sony’s Net Yarose program, which allows members to develop and share games on PCs. He described valuing gamer feedback, including complaints, to improve the business, and said he personally visited video game specialty shops to speak with players about their preferences. On competition, Hirai said he learned to never be complacent and to always stay at least two steps ahead, adding that even a leader must view itself as a challenger.

Recent appearances

Verified interview transcripts

Notable quotes

“We completely changed our thinking: rather than chasing unit volumes with low prices, we would not pursue sheer unit numbers at premium price points and instead focus on fundamentally improving the product and business.”

“When I took the helm as president, the TV business had been running losses for eight consecutive years, and the electronics business itself was in an extremely painful situation.”

Other executives at Independent

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