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[2] Sony Corporation Annual Report 1998
Remembering Masaru Ibuka
Sony Founder and Chief Advisor Masaru Ibuka passed away on December 19, 1997. Mr. Ibuka founded Sony in 1946
along with Akio Morita, Founder and Honorary Chairman. In the ensuing years, his creativity and innovative think-
ing as an engineer and corporate leader were the driving force behind Sony’s phenomenal growth.
An Ideal Factory “The establishment of an ideal factory, free, dynamic and pleasant, where technical personnel
of sincere motivation can exercise their technological skills to the highest levels.” These are the words of Mr. Ibuka in
the Founding Prospectus for Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corpora-
tion), the former name for Sony Corporation. Mr. Ibuka was an engineer with an overwhelming curiosity and sensitiv-
ity to events around him. He combined these qualities with foresight and enthusiasm to propel the development of
the entire electronics industry. Among his many achievements are the development of Japan’s first tape recorder and
transistor radio, as well as Sony’s Trinitron color TV. These breakthroughs formed the foundation for today’s Sony. Mr.
Ibuka’s vision went beyond existing technology. He created entirely new products and markets by following a unique
research and development path. This same spirit, which has thrived since the establishment of Sony, still exists more
than half a century later.
Fostering Curiosity in Science Deeply interested in leading-edge technologies, Mr. Ibuka also distinguished
himself through a strong devotion to education. In particular, he recognized the importance of science programs in
elementary and junior high schools. In 1959, Sony extended its first science education grants to 28 elementary
schools in Japan based on his proposal. In 1972, the Sony Foundation of Science Education was formed to carry on
this tradition. In 1969, Mr. Ibuka formed the Early Development Association for the purpose of conducting a variety
of studies on education for young children.
Order of Culture Awarded to an Entrepreneur Mr. Ibuka, who had outstanding insight and creativity in technol-
ogy, contributed to the development and commercialization of many types of electronics equipment. He was a pioneer
in applying leading electronics technology to a broad range of consumer products. He also originated a new direction
in the Japanese electronics industry from modifying existing technologies to creating new business opportunities. In
recognition of these achievements, Mr. Ibuka received the Order of Culture in 1992. His role in the development and
prosperity of the electronics industry led to a series of other honors: the First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure in
1978; the First Class Order of the Rising Sun with the Grand Cordon in 1986; and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the
Rising Sun, Paulownia Flowers, which was conferred posthumously in 1997.