was not only a unique citizen of Japan, but also
a unique citizen of the world. Coming from a society that generally
de-emphasizes the importance of individuals, he was a
unique and distinctive individual. According to some opinion polls, his
was the most recognizable Japanese face in the world. His name was
generally better known in the West than that of any other Japanese citizen
(including Japan’s prime ministers). Sony, the company that his
creative and entrepreneurial energies made so uniquely successful, was
among a handful of the best-known brand names in the world, and
was probably the single best-known name at the confluence of quality
and brand recognition in the minds of global consumers.