Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony [Hardcover]

Akio Morita (Author), Edwin M. Reingold (Contributor), Mitsuko Shimomura (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1986

Sony is one of the most powerful and respected multinational corporations in the world, and Akio Morita is its outspoken chairman. From his global perspective, Morita provides an informative and highly entertaining look at how Japanese business really works. TP: Plume.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cofounder and chairman of Sony Corporation, Morita, who personifies Japan's postwar technological ascendancy, ascribes his interest in electronics to his mother's love of Victrola recordings of European music. With the help of Time magazine's Tokyo bureau-chief Reingold and Japanese journalist Shimomura, he traces the development of his multinational firm, starting with a primitive tape recorder he built amid Tokyo's wartime rubble. Determined to change the image of Japanese goods to one of quality in foreign markets, especially in the U.S. where he established a subsidiary, he was gratified that Sony products were soon copied by global competitors. While retaining the mental discipline of his native education, Morita has adopted features of the Western world. He contrasts the Japanese familial, long-term concept of employee relations and other business practices with those of the U.S., which he criticizes for its litigious, hasty and often uncompromising attitudes. Liberalization of trade on both sides, he avers, would be a positive step in solving the worldwide economic crisis. Photos not seen by PW. 100,000 first printing; major ad/promo; Fortune Book Club dual main selection; BOMC and Executive Program alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This volume provides a biography of the legendary co-founder and chairman of the Sony Corporation, Akio Morita. Beginning in the waning days of World War II and spanning to the present, Morita deftly comments on a variety of topics ranging from the post-war reconstruction of Japan to his views on world trade. Of special interest to managers will be Morita's chapter "On Management," which unlocks some of the issues he believes to account for Japanese economic success. Items of discussion here include the Japanese philosophies of lifetime employment, job rotation, long-run orientation, and quality control. This book seems destined to be the Japanese version of Iacocca. BOMC alternate; Fortune Book Club selection. Gene R. Laczniak, Coll. of Business Administration, Marquette Univ.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 309 pages
• Publisher: E. P. Dutton; 1st edition (October 20, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525244654
• ISBN-13: 978-0525244653
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The legend's story, October 25, 2005

By 

Amazon junkie "Amazon junkie" (Beaverton, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony (Hardcover)

In today's global economy, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for an insight into Eastern management philosophy. Akio Morita needs no introduction. A legend in his lifetime, he founded Sony, one of the most powerful and respected multinational corporations in the world.

This book is an autobiography of Akio Morita and it goes hand in hand with the story of growth and expansion of Sony as well as post World War II Japan. This is a story of young Japanese who dreamt of a great company and went on to establish one with his exceptional vision and intuitive ability. Many of us know the anecdote of how Sony's marketing team was not convinced of the viability of the idea of a device, which can play music when you play Golf and ignoring them Akio asked his Engineers to go ahead. Yes, we know that device by the name of Walkman.

The book starts with the Post World War II Japan, wounded psychologically and physically by the one of the biggest tragedies mankind has ever faced. The problems of rehabilitation, unemployment and recession, then reconstruction, the weakening of 'Zaibatsu' (the family owned Conglomerates) and strengthening of democratic style of management in companies, which helped many more Japanese corporations to come up, is explained beautifully.

Akio talks of the Japanese society and culture. The conservative and strong family-oriented culture reminds of the common Asian heritage we share with Japanese Society. This is really appreciable that such society can grow so advanced scientifically and technologically that it has not only challenged the countries traditionally considered powerhouse of industrial revolution but also taken a lead in many industries.

This book talks of the initial days of Sony in US market, initial problems and numerous complicated lawsuits it had to face. Then, finally being successful in creating a strong brand "Sony" in the US market.

This book tells of Akio as a person and family man. He proves that to have a successful career, you do not need to sacrifice family life. He says at one place that he thought of Sony as one of the children he has to raise. He comes across as a diehard believer in simple living and high thinking. He wittingly tells the difference between a rich man and a wealthy man to a European lady who refers him a better jeweler's shop for his wife. Akio believed in deep-rooted Japanese philosophy of "mottainai", which emphasizes on being skilled and efficient in using resources economically. It is wonderful to know how Japan is so successful despite being a nation with little natural resources. May be that is the reason for inventing smallest and at the same time powerful devices.

This book is a door to understanding Japanese management philosophy and work ethics. Akio in his lifetime made sure that he gets chance to address each new batch of fresh recruits into Sony on the company philosophy and tell what is expected out of them. He created a company culture of `employment for life-time' which he believed helps getting total loyalty of employees.

Akio was from the generation of Japanese entrepreneurs who not only created value and wealth for his company but was able to make `MADE IN JAPAN' brand famous across the world. This book tells how.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Such a Simple beginning for a giant called SONY, June 23, 2001

By 

Datar (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Made in Japan (Plume) (Paperback)

"Made in Japan" gives us insight in to Japanese working ethos, their dedication and vision. It is a story of SONY, a company that is world leader in many electronic and IT products, told in simple manner by creator of SONY Mr Akio Morita. Coming from him, one has to believe every word of it. It is fascinating to read and travel along, as the story progress, with a small seedling's growth in to a big corporate giant that SONY today is. No brashness, no adoption of unfair means, no showing off its economic strength. It is a plain simple story of a dreamer who dared to dream and succeeded. An interesting reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, April 4, 2000

By 

Reader (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony (Signet) (Paperback)

Inspite being deeply insightful of management technique it is written in a very fluid and story like manner that makes it a joy to read. Also provides insight into the culture of the Japanese people and the impact it has had on the way in which they do business. Wonderful!