Kōnosuke Matsushita

Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, was born on November 27, 1894 in Wasamura, which is now part of Wakayama City. Despite a comfortable early childhood, his family faced financial difficulties due to his father's poor speculation on the commodities market.

In 1904, Konosuke Matsushita left elementary school in his fourth year and started working as an apprentice at the Miyata Hibachi Store in Osaka.

In June 1910, Konosuke Matsushita left the Godai Bicycle Shop and started working as a technician's assistant at the Osaka Electric Light Company.

On September 4, 1915, Konosuke Matsushita married Mumeno Iue, who was 19 years old at the time.

In 1917, Kōnosuke Matsushita left Osaka Electric Light Company to establish his own company, Matsushita Electric Industrial Company. Despite lacking capital, formal education, and manufacturing experience, he started the company in the basement of his tenement with a small team. Initially facing challenges in selling his products due to limited variety, Matsushita persevered in his entrepreneurial journey.

In 1918, Konosuke Matsushita founded what would later become Panasonic, a multinational electronics corporation. His innovative ideas and leadership laid the foundation for the company's success.

Konosuke Matsushita established Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works in Osaka's Kita Ward in February 1920. He started the business with the help of Mumeno and Toshio Iue, and their first product was an improved attachment plug.

The first head office and factory of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is completed in July, marking a milestone in the company's growth and development.

Konosuke Matsushita designs a bullet-shaped battery-powered bicycle lamp and begins its production in March, introducing an innovative lighting solution to the market.

A distributorship system for the bullet-shaped battery-powered bicycle lamp is implemented by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. in September, expanding its reach and sales network.

In October 1926, Konosuke Matsushita ran for the Osaka City Council and was successfully elected with the second-largest vote total, marking a pivotal moment in his political career.

Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works establishes the Electric Heater Business Division and starts business dealings with Sumitomo Bank, Nishinoda Branch.

In 1932, Konosuke Matsushita revealed the corporate mission and introduced the Seven Core Principles of Panasonic.

In 1935, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. and Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. were established, marking the beginning of a prominent electronics company.

In November 1946, Konosuke Matsushita founded PHP Institute with the aim of achieving peace and happiness through prosperity. Witnessing the poverty and chaos in post-World War II Japan, he believed in the importance of both material and spiritual prosperity for a better society.

In April 1947, the PHP Institute was founded, leading to the issuance of the first monthly PHP.

In February 1948, Toshio Iue departs from Matsushita Electric Works to establish SANYO Electric Works.

Konosuke Matsushita made a statement at the Extraordinary Management Policy Meeting, indicating the rise of Matsushita Electric amidst a storm.

At the Annual Management Policy Meeting for fiscal 1951, Konosuke Matsushita emphasized the shift from making decisions as a Japanese company to embracing a global perspective after overcoming postwar challenges.

Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, took off from Haneda Airport on a Pan American airplane for his first overseas visit to the United States. This marked a significant moment in his life as he aimed to expand his business globally.

Kōnosuke Matsushita makes his first visit to the United States. He later returns in April of the same year.

In September 1959, Matsushita Electric Corporation of America was established as the first post-war overseas sales company.

In 1961, Kōnosuke Matsushita transitioned from being the president of the company to becoming the chairman of the board of directors. His influential business philosophy focused on producing essential consumer goods abundantly and at affordable prices, which had a significant impact on Japan's consumer-oriented society in the latter half of the 20th century.

During 1963, Konosuke Matsushita was prominently featured on the cover of Time magazine, gaining widespread recognition.

In September 1964, Life magazine featured Mr. Matsushita on its cover, providing insights into his life and achievements.

Kōnosuke Matsushita assumes the role of the first chairman of the Asuka Preservation Foundation, demonstrating his commitment to cultural heritage and conservation efforts.

In 1973, Konosuke Matsushita stepped down as chairman of Matsushita Electric and took on the role of executive advisor. The company's non-consolidated sales exceeded 1 trillion yen.

On October 28, 1978, the history of Panasonic's development in China started with a visit by Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping to the TV Division.

In June 1979, Konosuke Matsushita visited the Great Wall of China.

In December 1982, a portrait of Konosuke Matsushita at the age of 88 was created.

Matsushita Konosuke passed away on April 27, 1989, in Ōsaka, Japan. His legacy as an innovative industrialist and founder of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. continues to influence the world of consumer electronics.

Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic Corporation, was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, a prestigious Japanese decoration.

On April 27, 1994, Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic Corporation, passed away at 10:06 a.m., marking the end of an era in Japanese business history.

In 1998, John Paul Kotter authored 'Matsushita Leadership,' delving into the leadership principles inspired by Matsushita's legacy.

A book originally published in 1954, reissued in 2011, offering insights into the author's personal philosophy and mindset.

An autobiography originally published in 1998, reissued in 2014, detailing the life journey and dreams of the founder of Panasonic.

A feature story about Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic Group, highlighting his achievements and contributions to society. The story was published on October 23, 2015.

On November 16, 2015, a feature story about Konosuke Matsushita was published. The story may have highlighted his achievements, contributions, or impact in the field of business or technology.

On January 12, 2016, a feature story about Konosuke Matsushita was highlighted, focusing on his legacy and contributions to creating solutions for a better future.

A feature story highlighting Konosuke Matsushita's legacy and impact on business policy in India, Middle East, and Africa. The story focuses on his contributions to the region.

Panasonic employees in Europe and CIS region are inspired by the Founder's Wisdom campaign, focusing on Konosuke Matsushita's words. The campaign aims to apply his wisdom in the workplace.