Is Sony A Japanese Company? (All You Need to Know)

Almost everyone has heard of Sony. You may be familiar with the company’s TVs, phones, and PlayStation games, among other popular Sony products. However, while you’ve heard the company’s name, you might not know where the company is from.  

So, if you are wondering if Sony is a Japanese company, you’ve come to the right place. This article will answer all your questions about where Sony is from and how the company started, so keep reading!

Is Sony A Japanese Company in 2024?

Sony, short for Sony Group Corporation, is a Japanese company known for its top-selling electronic products and information technologies in 2024. It was founded in 1946 by two Japanese friends, Maseru Ibuka and Aiko Morita. While its headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan, it is a multinational corporation with subsidiaries in many countries. 

If you want to understand more about how Sony is structured and where headquarters are international, keep reading. You’ll learn what the Sony Group is and where its subsidiaries are located.

What Is the Sony Group Corporation?

More commonly referred to as Sony, the Sony Group Corporation is a conglomerate corporation best known for manufacturing electronic products. 

This group operates in electronics, movie production, music, and financial services. Companies under this group include:

• Sony Corporation
• Sony Picture Entertainment
• Sony Computer Entertainment
• Sony Music Entertainment
• Sony Music/ATV Publishing
• Sony Mobile Communications
• Sony Financial Holdings

Additionally, Sony is one of the top sellers of semiconductors and televisions. 

Is Sony a Chinese or a Japanese Company?

Sony is not a Chinese company but a Japanese one. However, the company has manufacturing facilities in China. It is also a top seller of products in the Asian market, including China. 

Furthermore, some subsidiaries are based in China. These include:

• Sony (China) Ltd.
• Beijing Suohong Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Shanghai Suoguang Visual Products Co., Ltd.
• Shanghai Suoguang Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Sony Electronics (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.

Is Sony a Japanese or Indian Company?

Sony is a Japanese company, but there are subsidiaries in India under the name Sony India Pvt. Ltd. 

This parent company runs smaller subsidiaries and is based in New Delhi. 

Furthermore, Sony also has software development centers around the world, including India. 

Sony India Software Center Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1997 and is located in Bengaluru. It is considered the offshore IT center for Sony. 

Is Sony Now an American Company?

Sony is not an American company. 

However, Sony is a big-name brand in the United States. It is well known for its entertainment programs, video games, and electronics. 

Sony also has many subsidiaries and affiliates based in America. For example, Sony Corporation of America is a parent company that runs several other companies, including:

• Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
• Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
• Sony Music Entertainment
• Sony Music Publishing
• Sony Electronics Inc.

However, all these companies are technically owned by Sony Group Corporation, based in Japan. 

Who Is Sony Owned By?

Sony is a Japanese company founded by Maseru Ibuka and Aiko Morita in 1946. Morita’s family used to be the largest shareholder. 

However, it is not a publicly traded company. Sony first went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 1958. 

In 1970, it went public on the New York Stock Exchange as well. When a company goes public, they sell shares and, therefore, ownership of the company to the public.

Who Is Sony’s CEO?

Since April 2018, Kenichiro Yoshida has been the CEO of Sony Group Corporation. Yoshida began working for Sony in 1987. 

Before becoming the chief executive officer, he worked in various Sony-owned companies in Japan and the United States.

Where Is Sony’s Headquarters?

Sony’s main headquarters is in Kōnan, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, while the US headquarters is in New York City, New York. 

What Are Sony Subsidiaries?

Subsidiaries are smaller companies whose shares are owned and controlled by a larger one. An affiliate is similar, but the larger company owns 20-50% of the affiliate companies. 

Sony Group Corporation owns many subsidiaries internationally. 

Some of Sony’s subsidiaries include:

• Sony Corporation
• Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
• Sony LSI Design Inc.
• Sony Pictures Studio
• Madison Gate Records
• Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan Inc.
• Sony Pictures Europe
• Columbia Pictures
• Sony Music Publishing
• Bad Boy Records
• Audiokinetic
• Sony Life Insurance Co.  

To know more, you can also read our posts on whether Sony is an Indian company, where Sony cameras are made, and whether Sony is a good brand. 

Conclusion

Sony has always been a Japanese company. Founded in 1949 by two Japanese friends, the company eventually went public in 1958. Its headquarters is in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. 

However, Sony is a multinational conglomerate corporation with subsidiaries and affiliates internationally. It is mainly known for its electronic products, which are top sellers globally.