Can foreigners fix Japan?

Sony has chosen a Welshman as the CEO to restore its fortunes. But does corporate Japan really need foreign help to get back on track? Jack Dyson reports.

Who's the CEO in question? Sir Howard Stringer. He has been at Sony since 1997 and has run its US operations with great success - most notably the movie division, which was turned around by his decision to make new Spiderman films. All in all, his proven track record seems to make him the right man for Sony. The only unusual thing about the appointment is Stringer's nationality. Not only is Stringer not Japanese, but he doesn't live in the country and he doesn't speak the language.

So why choose him?

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