BEIJING, Mar. 8(Xinhuanet)-- Sony Corp. named its first foreign chief executive officer and chairman on Monday, the Mainichi Shimbun said.

British-born Howard Stringer, 63, will replace Chairman and CEO Nobuyuki Idei.

Vice President Ryoji Chubachi will also succeed President Kunitake Ando, Sony officials said.

Idei will become Sony's top adviser, and Ando will assume the post of adviser.

The board of Sony is set to approve the reshuffle after the company's shareholder meeting June 22.

Stringer handled software operations and played a major role in negotiations when Sony bought movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in September 2004.

Sources said Stringer would probably lead Sony's software business while Chubachi would be in charge of hardware.

(Agencies)