Who Is Akio Morita? Age, Biography and Wiki
Akio Morita was born on January 26, 1921, and passed away on October 3, 1999. He was a visionary entrepreneur who played a pivotal role in making Sony Corporation a global leader in consumer electronics. Throughout his life, Morita was recognized not only for his innovative ideas but also for his contributions to the business world. As of 2025, he would have been 104 years old, illustrating his enduring legacy in the tech industry.
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1921 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Nagoya, Empire of Japan |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Japan |
| Date of death | 3 October, 1999 |
| Died Place | Tokyo, Japan |
Popularity
Akio Morita's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specifics about Morita's height and weight are not widely documented, his physical presence was characterized by a dignified demeanor and a focus on professionalism. He is often remembered more for his influential personality and contributions to technology than for specific physical attributes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Akio Morita was married to Yoshiko Morita, and they had three children together. His family remained private, but he was known to have a close relationship with them, emphasizing the importance of family throughout his life. There are no records or discussions about significant relationships outside of his marriage.
Morita's family was involved in sake, miso and soy sauce production in the village of Kosugaya (currently a part of Tokoname City) on the western coast of Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture since 1665. He was the oldest of four siblings and his father Kyuzaemon trained him as a child to take over the family business.
Akio, however, found his true calling in mathematics and physics, and in 1944 he graduated from Osaka Imperial University with a degree in physics. He was later commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and served in World War II.
During his service, Morita met his future business partner Masaru Ibuka at a study group for developing infrared-guided bombs (Ke-Go) in the Navy's Wartime Research Committee.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 1999, Akio Morita’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 billion. His wealth was primarily amassed through his co-foundership of Sony Corporation, which revolutionized the electronics market and contributed significantly to his financial success. Although specific figures regarding his salary during his lifetime are not available, it is clear that his investments and business ventures brought substantial earnings.
Career, Business and Investments
Akio Morita co-founded Sony in 1946, which initially started as a small electronics shop in Tokyo. Under his leadership, Sony became renowned for several groundbreaking products, including the transistor radio, the Walkman, and the PlayStation gaming console. Morita’s innovative spirit and business acumen transformed Sony into a household name and a powerhouse in the electronics industry. Beyond Sony, he invested in various sectors, including entertainment and telecommunications, further solidifying his impact on global markets.
In 1949, the company developed magnetic recording tape and, in 1950, sold the first tape recorder in Japan. Ibuka was instrumental in securing the licensing of transistor technology from Bell Labs to Sony in the 1950s, thus making Sony one of the first companies to apply transistor technology to non-military uses.
In 1957, the company produced a pocket-sized radio (the first to be fully transistorized), and in 1958, Morita and Ibuka decided to rename their company Sony (derived from "sonus"—Latin for "sound"—and "sonny", a then-common American expression). Morita was an advocate for all the products made by Sony.
However, since the radio was slightly too big to fit in a shirt pocket, Morita made his employees wear shirts with slightly larger pockets to give the radio a "pocket sized" appearance. Morita founded Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, currently abbreviated as SCA) in 1960.
In the process, he was struck by the mobility of employees between American companies, which was unheard of in Japan at that time. When he returned to Japan, he encouraged experienced, middle-aged employees of other companies to reevaluate their careers and consider joining Sony.
The company filled many positions in this manner, and inspired other Japanese companies to do the same. In 1961, Sony Corporation was the first Japanese company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of American depositary receipts (ADRs).
Social Network
During his lifetime, Akio Morita was a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial and tech communities. His influence extended beyond Sony, as he was actively involved in various business councils and industry associations. Posthumously, he continues to be celebrated within social networks and forums dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship, where his contributions are often highlighted.
Education
Akio Morita graduated from Osaka Imperial University in 1944, where he earned a degree in physics. His educational background laid the foundation for his technical expertise and strategic thinking within the electronics industry. This academic experience, combined with his innate entrepreneurial spirit, propelled him to achieve remarkable success in his career.
