TOKYO, April 24 (UPI) -- Sony Corp. said multiple organ failure was the cause of death of its former chairman and president, Norio Ohga. He was 81
Ohga, who was credited with leading the effort to develop the compact disc, died Saturday in Japan.
Ohga joined Tokyo Telecommunication as a consultant in 1953. The company was later renamed Sony, the Wall Street Journal said Sunday.
During his tenure, Ohga led the development of the CD, which allowed users to store up to 75 minutes of music. He also guided Sony's expansion beyond electronic hardware and into the music and film content business.
Ohga also signed off on the project to develop Sony's blockbuster PlayStation video game controller.
Ohga stepped down as president in 1995 and remained chairman until 2003, the company said in a written statement.
