Panasonic
A Japanese multinational electronics manufacturer with a global brand.
Panasonic Holdings Corporation is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturer headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Founded in 1918 by Kōnosuke Matsushita in the Fukushima ward of Osaka, the company was originally a vendor of duplex lamp sockets. It was incorporated in 1935 under the name Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI). During World War II, its factories produced electrical components and appliances, including light fixtures, motors, electric irons, wireless equipment, and vacuum tubes. After the war, the company regrouped as a keiretsu and supplied Japan’s post-war boom with radios, appliances, and bicycles. In 1961, Matsushita traveled to the United States and met American dealers, leading to the production of television sets for the U.S. market under the Panasonic brand. By 1963, its plant produced eight TV sets per minute, accounting for 21.8% of Japan’s cathode ray tube television production—the largest share of any company. The company expanded the Panasonic brand to Europe in 1979. In 1974, it acquired Motorola’s Quasar brand and facilities. In 2008, the corporate name was changed to Panasonic Corporation to align with its global brand, and in 2022, the company reorganized into a holding company, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, with its former divisions becoming subsidiaries; the Lifestyle Updates Business Division then took the Panasonic Corporation name. The company phased out the Sanyo brand in early 2012 after acquiring Sanyo in December 2009. Panasonic currently sells virtually all products under the Panasonic brand, using the slogan “A Better Life, A Better World.” It also revived the Technics brand in 2014. Beyond consumer electronics—where it was the world’s largest manufacturer in the late 20th century—Panasonic produces rechargeable batteries, automotive and avionic systems, industrial equipment, and home renovation and construction services. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX 100 indices, with a secondary listing on the Nagoya Stock Exchange. In 2025, the World Intellectual Property Organization ranked Panasonic 6th globally in patent applications published under the PCT System, with 2,094 applications.
- founder
- Kōnosuke Matsushita
- headquarters
- Kadoma, Osaka, Japan
- field
- Electronics manufacturing
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- World's largest consumer electronics manufacturer in the late 20th century; Panasonic brand; Technics audio equipment
Lore & Background
Panasonic is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturer headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. Founded in 1918 by Kōnosuke Matsushita in the Fukushima ward of Osaka, the company was incorporated in 1935 and originally operated under the corporate name Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. until October 1, 2008, when it was renamed Panasonic Corporation to align with its global brand. In 2022, the company reorganized into a holding company structure, becoming Panasonic Holdings Corporation, with its Lifestyle Updates Business Division assuming the Panasonic Corporation name. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX 100 indices, with a secondary listing on the Nagoya Stock Exchange. In 2025, the World Intellectual Property Organization ranked Panasonic 6th globally in patent applications published under the PCT System, with 2,094 applications. Historically, Panasonic was the world’s largest manufacturer of consumer electronics in the late 20th century. Its product range extends beyond consumer electronics to include rechargeable batteries, automotive and avionic systems, industrial equipment, and home renovation and construction services. The company phased out the Sanyo brand in the first quarter of 2012, selling virtually all products under the Panasonic brand with the marketing slogan “A Better Life, A Better World.”
Reader's Guide
Panasonic, originally Matsushita Electric Industrial, began in 1918 as a maker of duplex lamp sockets. Its early success came from bicycle lamps sold under the National brand, introduced in 1927. During World War II, the company produced electrical components and appliances, including light fixtures, motors, and vacuum tubes. After the war, it supplied Japan’s recovery with radios and appliances. In 1961, founder Kōnosuke Matsushita met American dealers, leading to television production for the U.S. market under the Panasonic brand. By 1963, its plant produced eight TV sets per minute, accounting for 21.8% of Japan’s cathode ray tube television output. The company expanded Panasonic to Europe in 1979. It also acquired the Quasar brand from Motorola in 1974. The company’s behavior included a multi-brand strategy: National for domestic markets, Panasonic for the Americas, and Technics for audio equipment from 1965. In 1997, National and Panasonic were combined as National Panasonic. By 2004, the National brand was phased out globally except in Japan, which ended by 2010. In 2008, the corporate name changed to Panasonic Corporation to match its global brand. In 2022, it reorganized into a holding company, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, with its lifestyle division taking the Panasonic name. The company’s significance is underscored by its 2025 ranking as 6th in the world for PCT patent applications, with 2,094 published that year. Its brand evolution—from National to Panasonic and the 2014 revival of Technics—demonstrates its adaptation to global markets and consumer electronics leadership.
Did You Know?
- The company changed its corporate name to Panasonic Corporation in 2008 to align with its global brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Panasonic?
Panasonic is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka. It is one of the most widely recognized consumer electronics brands on the planet.
What is Panasonic most famous for?
During the late 20th century it held the distinction of being the world's largest consumer electronics manufacturer. It is also widely remembered for its Technics line of high-fidelity audio equipment.
What does Panasonic produce today?
Its modern portfolio stretches well beyond home appliances to include rechargeable batteries, automotive and aviation systems, industrial machinery, and home renovation services. The company now operates across a far broader set of industries than its consumer-electronics roots suggest.
Why is Panasonic significant in the electronics industry?
As a Japanese firm that dominated global consumer electronics for decades, it set standards for reliability and mass-market design in products like televisions, batteries, and kitchen appliances. Its brand remains a shorthand for dependable Japanese engineering.
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