Sony says it will cut four thousand jobs in Japan and six thousand overseas over the next two and a half years. It'll also reduce the number of its factories from sixty-five to fifty-four. It's part of a bold restructuring plan to try to revive the company's declining fortunes. Sony came under new management in March with the appointment of a new chief executive, Howard Stringer, who has joint British and American nationality. He announced the cuts, saying Sony intended to regain its former dominance in consumer electronics and entertainment. He said he would break down barriers between different departments. Analysts say non-Japanese executives often find it easier to take tough decisions in a business culture that values consensus and loyalty. Sony has lost money on electronics products in recent years and has relied more on the success of its movies and video games unit. It once pioneered innovative, new designs and gadgets but is increasingly losing out to rivals in Asia and the United States which can produce models at a cheaper price.