Akio Morita Quotes, born January 26, 1921, in Nagoya, Japan, and passing on October 3, 1999, in Tokyo, was a visionary Japanese businessman and co-founder of Sony Corporation alongside Masaru Ibuka. Graduating with a physics degree from Osaka Imperial University in 1944, Morita met Ibuka during World War II, and together they founded Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation in 1946, renaming it Sony in 1958. Morita’s innovative leadership introduced iconic products like the transistor radio, Walkman, and compact disc player, making Sony a global electronics leader. A pioneer of globalization, he established Sony Corporation of America in 1960 and was the first Japanese company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Honored with the UK’s Albert Medal (1982), France’s Legion of Honour (1984), and Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (1999), Morita’s legacy endures through the Akio Morita School of Business at Anaheim University. These 15 quotes—sourced from his book Made in Japan, interviews, public statements, and posts on X—reflect his wisdom on innovation, leadership, creativity, and teamwork, capturing his trailblazing spirit.
15 Akio Morita Quotes
- “Curiosity is the key to creativity.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 164, 1986)
- “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. But make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 163, 1986)
- “No matter how good or successful you are, your business and its future are in the hands of the people you hire.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 186, 1986)
- “A company will get nowhere if all of the thinking is left to management.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 80, 1986)
- “We will try to create conditions where persons could come together in a spirit of teamwork, and exercise to their heart’s desire their technological capacity.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 158, 1986)
- “If you go through life convinced that your way is always best, all the new ideas in the world will pass you by.” (Cited in Laidlaw Scholars Network, 2022)
- “The important thing is not to pin the blame for a mistake on somebody, but rather to find out what caused the mistake.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 186, 1986)
- “Our plan is to lead the public with new products rather than ask them what kind of products they want.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 157, 1986)
- “You can be totally rational with a machine. But if you work with people, sometimes logic often has to take a backseat to understanding.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 202, 1986)
- “I believe one of the reasons we went through such a remarkable growth period was that we had this atmosphere of free discussion.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 146, 1986)
- “There is no secret ingredient or hidden formula responsible for the success of the best Japanese companies.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 165, 1986)
- “The most important mission for a Japanese manager is to develop a healthy relationship with his employees, to create a family-like feeling within the corporation.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 135, 1986)
- “I believe it is a big mistake to think that money is the only way to compensate a person for his work.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 138, 1986)
- “My solution to the problem of unleashing creativity is always to set up a target.” (Made in Japan: Akio Morita and Sony, p. 164, 1986)
- “Passion is the spark that ignites creativity and fuels innovation.” (Bookey, 2023)
Akio Morita’s quotes are a dynamic blend of innovation, leadership, and human-centric wisdom, inspiring us to foster creativity, embrace teamwork, and lead with vision. Which one’s got you ready to spark the next big idea? Drop it in the comments and keep Morita’s pioneering legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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