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Corporate History
Corporate History
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1946
- Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation
- Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita established Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation) inside Shirokiya in Nihombashi, Tokyo.
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1950
- Japan's first magnetic tape recorder, the G-Type, launched
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1955
- Japan's first transistor radio, the TR-55, launched
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1958
- Name changed from Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. to Sony Corporation
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1960
- Sony Corporation of America (SCA) established in the US
- Compact, lightweight portable transistor TV is launched
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TV8-301
(1960)TV5-303
(1962)
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1965
- World's first consumer-use open-reel VTR, the CV-2000, launched
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1966
- Sony Building opened in Ginza, Tokyo
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1968
- "Trinitron" color TV, the KV-1310, launched
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- CBS/Sony Records Inc., a joint venture with CBS Inc. of the US, established in Japan
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It was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in 1991
Sony Music Entertainment
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1970
- Sony becomes first Japanese company to have shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange
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1975
- Consumer-use "Betamax" VCR, the SL-6300, launched
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1976
- BV series of "U-Matic" VTR for broadcasting operations is launched
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1979
- Launch of the Walkman (TPS-L2) Portable Stereo Cassette Player
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- Joint venture with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, establishing Sony Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (name changed to Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd. In 1991)
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1980
- Development and launch of CCD Image Sensor
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1982
- Launch of CDP-101, World’s First CD Player
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- 1/2-inch "Betacam" integrated camera/VTR for professional broadcasting is launched
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1984
- World's first portable CD player, the D-50, launched
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1985
- 8mm camcorder, the CCD-V8, launched
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1988
- CBS Records Inc. acquired. It was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in 1991
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1989
- Compact and lightweight passport-sized 8mm camcorder, "Handycam" CCD-TR55, launched
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- US-based Columbia Pictures Entertainment Inc. acquired Renamed Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1991
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1992
- MD (MiniDisc), a smaller-sized recording and playback format for digital audio, is launched
- Four models of MD (MiniDisk) system, including MZ-1, launched
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1994
- Sony Computer Entertainment (currently Sony Interactive Entertainment) launched the PlayStation® home video game console in Japan.
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1996
- Sony Communication Network Corporation established (currently Sony Network Communications Inc.), launches "So-net" internet service
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- Launch of the digital still camera "Cybershot" DSC-F1
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- Personal computer "VAIO", PCV-90/70, launches first in the US, and later in Japan
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1997
- FeliCa, a contactless IC card technology, is used for the first time anywhere in Hong Kong's "Octopus" subway system.
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1998
- Sony Insurance Planning Co., Ltd. is established. Renamed Sony Assurance in 1999
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1999
- "AIBO" entertainment robot, ERS-110, launched
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2000
- "CineAlta" HDCAM camcorder, HDW-F900, launched
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2001
- Sony Bank Inc. is established
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- Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Inc. is established
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2003
- Launch of the world's first "Blu-ray Disc" recorder, BDZ-S77
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2004
- Sony Financial Holdings Inc. is established
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2005
- Launch of "BRAVIA" TV series with high picture and audio quality
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2006
- Digital single-lens camera α is launched
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2007
- Sony Financial Holdings Inc. listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
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2008
- Sony announces development of back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
- Digital Hi-Vision Handycam with world's first back-illuminated CMOS image sensor is launched" (2009)
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2011
- Joint acquisition of EMI Music Publishing (Became wholly-owned subsidiary in 2018)
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2012
- Sony Ericsson becomes wholly-owned subsidiary, renamed to Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
- Xperia™ Z launched with a thin, flat body and large full HD display
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2013
- Sony Olympus Medical Solutions is established
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2016
- Sony Lifecare Group opened a nursing care home, "SONARE" in Soshigaya-Okura, Tokyo
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2018
- "aibo" entertainment robot, ERS-1000, launched
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2020
- “VISION-S” prototype announced
- Showcasing efforts in the area of mobility - such as pursuing safety, reliability, comfort and entertainment
- Sony Financial Holdings becomes wholly-owned subsidiary (It was renamed Sony Financial Group Inc. in 2021)
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2021
- Name change and relaunch as Sony Group Corporation
- The name “Sony Corporation” is inherited by the electronics business company, the origin of Sony’s business
