Yoshida is credited with being the behind-the-scenes guy who backed up Hirai’s transformation of Sony’s finances.

The pair focussed on image sensors and Playstation as the routes to profitability, selling off the Viaio computer business and de-emphasing the phones and TV businesses.

Hirai leaves on a high note. Sony has just announced a record calendar Q4 profit of £2.24 billion and forecast a record annual profit to the end of its financial year in March of  £4.6 billion.