Kazuo Hirai to replace Stringer as Sony CEO

TOKYO - Sony Corp. has announced that Kazuo Hirai will replace Howard Stringer as CEO and president of the electronics company effective April 1.

Hirai, 51, runs the company's consumer products business and is currently executive deputy president. He has also led the company's gaming division in the past.

The Welsh-born Stringer, one of the few foreign CEOs to lead a major Japanese company, will become chairman of the board of directors in June, Sony said in a statement.