Akira Kubota replaced Shizuo Takashino as board chairman of Sony (China) Co. Ltd. on June 1, 2009, Sony China said in a statement.

Sony said the former board chairman Shizuo Takashino would retire on June 19, when Sony Corporation holds a shareholder meeting.

Shizuo Takashino, Father of Walkman, served in Sony China from 2005 to 2009, where he set up the engineering design corporation and promoted customer-centric R&D in product design. He built firm foundation for Sony's long-term development in China with his concept of operating chain system, including R&D, design, manufacture, sales and service to serve the locals.

Akira Kubota began his career in Sony in 1974, in charge of the electronic giant's overseas plants and divisions of audio frequency, information system and solution, computer entertainment, core component, and procurement. In 1999, he became senior vice president of Sony.

Last year, China became Sony's second largest single market around the globe. Kubota' accession will signal a strategic change of the Japanese giant in the Chinese market during the gloomy economic environment.

Together with the chairman of Sony China, Kubota will enforce the strategy of rooting in China and seeking long-term growth. To adapt to special demand in the market, Sony China started a business process re-engineering project in 2009, in a bid to cut down operating costs and improve efficiency and service quality.

Electronics Sony China