Akio Morita
Akio Morita: A Life of Innovation and Vision
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Akio Morita was a Japanese entrepreneur and businessman who co-founded the world-renowned electronics company Sony. He is often referred to as Akio Morita, but his full name is Masakazu Morita.
Birth and Death Dates
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Morita was born on January 26, 1921, in Nagoya, Japan. He passed away on October 3, 1999, at the age of 78.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Morita was a Japanese national by birth and profession. He is best known as an entrepreneur and businessman, but he also held positions in various fields such as engineering and education.
Early Life and Background
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Akio Morita's early life laid the foundation for his future success. Born into a family of modest means, Morita developed a strong work ethic from a young age. He was particularly interested in science and technology, which led him to study physics at Tokyo Imperial University (now known as the University of Tokyo). During World War II, Morita worked on military projects, including the development of radio equipment for the Japanese Navy.
Major Accomplishments
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Morita's most notable achievement is co-founding Sony with Masaru Ibuka in 1946. Initially called Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation), the company produced electrical components and electronic equipment. Morita played a crucial role in transforming Sony into one of the world's leading electronics companies, introducing groundbreaking products such as the transistor radio and the first home video tape recorder.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Morita's notable works and actions include:
Developing the world's first portable transistor radio, the TR-55.
Creating Sony's iconic logo, which features a combination of the Latin word "sonus," meaning sound, and a modified version of Ibuka's surname, "Ibuka."
Introducing the Walkman, a portable music player that revolutionized the way people listen to music on-the-go.Impact and Legacy
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Morita's impact on the world is immeasurable. As a pioneer in the electronics industry, he played a significant role in shaping the modern technology landscape. His innovative spirit, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to quality helped establish Sony as one of the most recognized brands worldwide. Morita's legacy extends beyond his business achievements; he also made significant contributions to Japan's post-war economic recovery and was a strong advocate for education and science.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Akio Morita is widely quoted and remembered due to his:
Visionary approach: He had the courage to take risks and challenge conventional thinking, which enabled Sony to innovate and stay ahead of the competition.
Commitment to quality: Morita's emphasis on producing high-quality products helped establish Sony as a trusted brand worldwide.
Inspirational leadership: His ability to motivate and inspire his team led to many groundbreaking innovations, making him a beloved figure in the business world.
Today, Akio Morita is remembered as a true innovator who left an indelible mark on the electronics industry. His quotes continue to inspire entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone looking for guidance on innovation and vision.
Quotes by Akio Morita
Akio Morita's insights on:
Of course we have to make a profit, but we have to make a profit over the long haul, not just the short term, and that means we must keep investing in research and development – it has run consistently about 6 percent of sales at Sony – and in service.
From a management standpoint, it is very important to know how to unleash people’s inborn creativity. My concept is that anybody has creative ability, but very few people know how to use it.
I often say to my assistants, “Never trust anybody,” but what I mean is that you should never trust someone else to do a job exactly the way you would want it done.
We don’t believe in market research for a new product unknown to the public. So we never do any.
We will try to create conditions where persons could come together in a spirit of teamwork, and exercise to their heart’s desire their technological capacity.
If we face recession, we should not lay off employees; the company should sacrifice a profit. It’s management’s risk and management’s responsibility. Employees are not guilty; why should they suffer?
The “patron saint” of Japanese quality control, ironically, is an American named W. Edwards Deming, who was virtually unknown in his own country until his ideas of quality control began to make such a big impact on Japanese companies.
