Kazuo (Kaz) Hirai brings over two decades of experience with Sony Group to his position as corporate executive officer and executive vice president of Sony Corporation, concurrently serving as president of the company’s Networked Products & Services Group (Game, PC, Networked Mobile and Network Service businesses and New Business Incubation Project) as of April 1st 2009. In addition to his new role, Hirai also continues to serve as president and group chief executive officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. as well as a board member of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. 

One of the most recognized leaders in interactive entertainment, Hirai played a pivotal role in elevating the industry to a stature which now rivals Hollywood box office revenues. Previously named “mogul in the running” in Vanity Fair’s “New Establishment” list, and one of the most powerful executives in the business by Entertainment Weekly, Hirai succeeded in establishing games as a significant genre on par with music and movies, making the PlayStation® brand synonymous with exceptional gaming and non-gaming entertainment.

During his tenure with Sony Computer Entertainment America, Hirai was actively involved in launching groundbreaking platforms including original PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems. He also led the company’s entry into the portable entertainment arena with the launch of PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system in North America, as well as the North American introduction of PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Hirai led the company into various new frontiers, including the introduction of PlayStation®2 online gaming in 2002 and PlayStation®Network in 2006, which has more than 20 million accounts worldwide as of today.

Hirai joined Sony Computer Entertainment America in 1995, with responsibility for the operational management of the company under the former president. Before that, Hirai worked in Sony Music Japan’s New York office coordinating the marketing of Sony Music Japan artists in the U.S. Hirai began his career with CBS/Sony Inc. (now Sony Music Entertainment Japan) in 1984 where he was instrumental in the marketing coordination of international music in Japan and later headed the international business affairs department.

Hirai received his bachelor of liberal arts degree from the International Christian University in Tokyo.