Born in Tokyo in 1937, Mr. Idei graduated from Waseda University in 1960, and joined Sony, where he helped develop it from a local electronics company into a global tech powerhouse. After serving as General Manager of the Audio Business Division, Computer Business Division, and Home Video Business Division, he was appointed President in 1995. For the next 10 years, he led Sony's transformation in a series of top management roles. After retiring, he established Quantum Leaps Corporation in September 2006, served on the boards of Accenture and Lenovo, and became chairman of the NPO Asia Innovators Initiative.