Former PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai used to ignore orders from Sony bosses, he reveals
Kaz Hirai, who led PlayStation’s console business as president of Sony Computer Entertainment from 2007 to 2012, has revealed that he frequently ignored directives from Sony’s corporate headquarters. In a recent interview with Japanese publication Nikkei XTrend, Hirai disclosed his management approach with candor, noting that when executives like Howard Stringer (then Sony’s chairman) and other company leaders issued orders, he would disregard them in pursuit of PlayStation’s independent strategy. “What the headquarters says is irrelevant. We are PlayStation,” Hirai stated, reportedly while laughing at the memory.
This management philosophy appears to have been successful, as Hirai later ascended to the role of Sony’s president, succeeding Stringer himself. His comments offer an intriguing glimpse into corporate dynamics at one of the world’s largest entertainment conglomerates, revealing tensions between the PlayStation division and Sony’s broader corporate leadership during the PlayStation 3 era. The revelation suggests that Hirai’s willingness to pursue an independent course for the PlayStation division may have contributed to both his success in that role and his subsequent promotion to lead the entire company.