Panasonic

Panasonic Holdings Corporation, colloquially known as Panasonic, is a Japanese multinational electronics manufacturer, headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan. It produces a wide range of products and services, including consumer electronics, rechargeable batteries, automotive and avionic systems, industrial equipment, as well as home renovation and construction. 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. The company was founded by Kōnosuke Matsushita in 1918 as Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works and incorporated in 1935 as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. with some of its earliest products being radios, electric irons and bicycle lamps, under the National brand name. During wartime, Matsushita launched and made military components such as ships and aircraft for the Japanese state. By 1950, the company's assets were unfrozen and went public, and Matsushita became known for consumer white goods, black-and-white televisions and transistor radios. In addition to National, the Panasonic brand name was first adopted in 1955 for export markets and later still also created the Technics brand for audio equipment. During the late 20th century, the company overtook Philips to become the world's largest manufacturer of consumer electronics. Matsushita had also been the majority owner of the Victor Company of Japan (JVC), and briefly from 1990–95 also owned the American media entertainment giant MCA Inc.. In 2008, the company divested its JVC subsidiary, discontinued its National brand in Japan, and changed its official corporate name from Matsushita Electric to Panasonic Corporation. In 2022, it reorganized as a holding company and adopted its current name.