Hirai is said to have made the decision because he is weary from an intense six-year long travel excursion as chief executive and now wants to spend more hours with his family in Northern California. He has indicated to internal colleagues that as newly appointed Chairman, he intends to stay involved with Sony's US-based entertainment businesses. "As the company approaches a crucial juncture, when we will embark on a new mid-range plan, I consider this to be the ideal time to pass the baton of leadership to new management". Hirai said he'd taken the action "for the future of Sony and also for myself to embark on a new chapter in my life".

Having been unanimously elected by the board, the company's top lieutenant, CFO Kenichiro Yoshida, will assume the role of CEO on April 1st. Yoshida has worked closely with Hirai since rejoining the company in 2013. "Mr. Yoshida combines a deeply strategic mindset with a relentless determination to achieve defined targets, and the ability to take a global viewpoint." Hirai said: "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."

The company is currently in the third and final year of a mid-range corporate plan and is expected to begin a new mid-range plan under Yoshida's leadership. "My first priority will be to finalize our next mid-range corporate plan starting in April, together with our immediate business plan for the fiscal year 2018, and then move ahead swiftly with implementation."

As Yoshida put it: "This is a hugely exciting time at Sony as we look to our future." Whatever Yoshida and his new management team plan, they have the full support of Hirai and the board, according to Osamu Nagayama, Chairman of the Board.