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Kōnosuke Matsushita
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Kōnosuke Matsushita

Founder of Panasonic, Japan’s “god of management”

27 November 1894 – 27 April 1989 Japan Verified by our editors
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Lived
94 yrs
1894 – 1989
Works listed
1
Book
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Kōnosuke Matsushita was a Japanese industrialist who founded Matsushita Electric, now Panasonic, in 1918, starting with a two-way light socket. He built it into Japan’s largest consumer-electronics company and became known as the “god of management” for his business philosophy.

Biography

Apprentice

Matsushita left school at nine after his family lost its money and worked as an apprentice in a bicycle shop in Osaka, then at Osaka Electric Light Company.

Founding the company

In 1918, with his wife and brother-in-law, he founded Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works to make an improved light socket, then bicycle lamps, radios and irons.

Philosophy

In 1932 he announced a 250-year mission to end poverty through affordable products. He introduced the five-day week in Japan in 1965 and promoted lifetime employment.

Legacy

Panasonic made televisions, VHS recorders through JVC and much more. He founded the PHP Institute and the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. He died in 1989.

Timeline

  1. 1894

    Born in Wakayama, Japan

  2. 1918

    Founds his company

  3. 1927

    National-brand lamp

  4. 1932

    Announces his 250-year plan

  5. 1946

    Founds the PHP Institute

  6. 1965

    Five-day working week

  7. 1979

    Founds the Matsushita Institute

  8. 1989

    Dies

  9. 1989

    Died, aged 94

Notable works

  • 1984

    Not for Bread Alone Book

Awards and honours

  • Order of the Rising Sun

Did you know?

  1. 1

    The company was renamed Panasonic in 2008.

  2. 2

    He started with savings of about 100 yen.

  3. 3

    Many Japanese politicians graduated from his institute.

Connections

Related people

Also born on 27 November

Frequently asked

Who is Kōnosuke Matsushita?

Kōnosuke Matsushita was a Japanese industrialist who founded Matsushita Electric, now Panasonic, in 1918, starting with a two-way light socket. He built it into Japan’s largest consumer-electronics company and became known as the “god of management” for his business philosophy.

When did Kōnosuke Matsushita die?

Kōnosuke Matsushita died on 27 April 1989 at the age of 94.

Where is Kōnosuke Matsushita from?

Kōnosuke Matsushita was born in Wakayama, Japan.

What is Kōnosuke Matsushita known for?

Kōnosuke Matsushita is best known for Founding Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) in 1918; management philosophy; Matsushita Institute of Government.

What awards has Kōnosuke Matsushita received?

Notable honours include Order of the Rising Sun.

References

  1. Kōnosuke Matsushita — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  2. Kōnosuke Matsushita — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  3. Kōnosuke Matsushita — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  4. Kōnosuke Matsushita — Goodreads author page. Goodreads. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  5. Official website. konosuke-matsushita.com. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
  6. Kōnosuke Matsushita (Q252785) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.

Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Kōnosuke Matsushita”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more

External links

Official website Website Wikipedia
Filed under JapanPanasonic AuthorIndustrialist

About this profile

Cite this page

“Kōnosuke Matsushita.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/konosuke-matsushita

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