Sony Is Getting Its Mojo Back

Hi, this is Yuji in Tokyo. I just got back from a press event where Sony unveiled the new aibo, an upgraded version of the robotic dog sold until 2006. Much has happened since then. Once a shining example of Japanese prowess in combining technology to create must-have gadgets, Sony went into a slump after branching out into too many businesses and failing to become a major smartphone manufacturer. Now, after five-plus years of tough restructuring that slashed its workforce and multiple product lines, there’s mounting evidence that a revival has taken root. Yesterday, Sony reported a blow-out quarter and said it was on track to post its highest-ever annual operating profit. Its share price has more than doubled in the past three years.

On Wednesday, Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai, —clad in sneakers and dark jeans; not his usual attire, especially in Japan— beamed as he bounced across the stage with Sony’s new pet toy. He sounded confident —a big difference from the beginning of his tenure, when he spoke about cutting jobs, selling businesses and keeping Sony's brand name alive. At the time, investors including Daniel Loeb were calling for a breakup of the company, while alleged North Korean hackers embarrassed executives at Sony’s film unit by releasing internal emails.