# Kōnosuke Matsushita

> Founder of Panasonic (1894-1989)

**Wikidata**: [Q252785](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q252785)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kōnosuke_Matsushita)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/konosuke-matsushita

## Summary
Kōnosuke Matsushita (1894–1989) was a Japanese entrepreneur, industrialist, inventor, and politician best known as the founder of Panasonic Holdings Corporation. He established the company in 1918 as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., growing it from a small light socket manufacturer into a multinational electronics conglomerate. Additionally, he founded the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in 1979 to foster political leadership.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 27, 1894
- **Nationality**: Japanese (also a citizen of the Empire of Japan)
- **Education**: [No data provided in source material]
- **Known for**: Founding Panasonic Holdings Corporation and the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management
- **Employer(s)**: Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Founder), Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
- **Field(s)**: Electronics, manufacturing, business, politics

## Contributions
Kōnosuke Matsushita founded Panasonic Holdings Corporation on March 13, 1918, originally under the name Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. He led the company's expansion from producing light sockets to manufacturing radios, televisions, and home appliances, adopting the "Panasonic" brand name in 1955. He oversaw the creation of notable brands such as Lumix (cameras), Viera (televisions), and Toughbook (rugged laptops). Under his leadership, the corporation developed key technologies including AVC-Intra video compression, P2 storage media, and Archival Disc optical storage. In 1979, he founded the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, an institute dedicated to politics and government studies. He also established a corporate structure that included subsidiaries like Sanyo, Panasonic Electric Works, KDK, and National.

## FAQs
**When was Kōnosuke Matsushita born and when did he die?**
He was born on November 27, 1894, and died on April 27, 1989.

**What company did Kōnosuke Matsushita found?**
He founded Panasonic Holdings Corporation, which was established on March 13, 1918, as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

**What awards did Kōnosuke Matsushita receive?**
He received the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (1st class), the China Reform Friendship Medal, the Order of the Defender of the Realm (Malaysia), and a doctor honoris causa from Keiō University.

**What is the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management?**
It is an institute of politics founded by Kōnosuke Matsushita in 1979.

**What are some notable brands associated with Kōnosuke Matsushita’s company?**
Notable brands include Lumix (digital cameras), Viera (televisions), Toughbook (rugged laptops), National, and Sanyo.

## Why They Matter
Kōnosuke Matsushita is significant for establishing Panasonic, a corporation that became a pivotal player in the global electronics industry with over 100 years of operation. His leadership transformed a small business into a multinational conglomerate with over 257,000 employees and operations in more than 120 countries, influencing technological advancements from home appliances to smart devices. His work extended beyond commerce into political education through the founding of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, aiming to develop future leaders. The company's enduring legacy includes iconic brands and critical technologies that have shaped consumer electronics and industrial standards worldwide.

## Notable For
- Founder of Panasonic Holdings Corporation (1918)
- Founder of The Matsushita Institute of Government and Management (1979)
- Recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, 1st class
- Recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal
- Recipient of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (Malaysia)
- Doctor honoris causa of Keiō University
- Occupations: Entrepreneur, businessperson, inventor, politician, industrialist

## Body

### Founding and Corporate Leadership
Kōnosuke Matsushita founded Panasonic Holdings Corporation on March 13, 1918, under the name Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. The company was initially headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan, and began by producing light sockets. Under Matsushita's direction, the business expanded its product line to include radios, televisions, and home appliances. In 1955, the company adopted the "Panasonic" brand name. Matsushita served as the driving force behind the company's growth, eventually transforming it into a multinational electronics corporation. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the company employed 257,533 people and generated annual revenues exceeding ¥7.34 trillion. The corporation is listed on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and Philippine Stock Exchanges.

### Products and Technologies
Matsushita's company developed a diverse portfolio of products and innovative technologies. Notable brands established during the company's history include Lumix, which offers high-end digital cameras and lenses; Viera, a line of high-definition televisions; and Toughbook, a series of rugged computing devices designed for extreme environments. The corporation also pioneered significant technologies such as AVC-Intra video compression, P2 storage media, and Archival Disc optical storage, a format developed for long-term data preservation with capacities up to 5.5 terabytes. The company's operations encompassed electronics, home appliances, automotive systems, and semiconductor manufacturing.

### Subsidiaries and Acquisitions
The corporate structure built by Matsushita included several key subsidiaries and brands. Panasonic Electric Works was established in 1935, focusing on electrical equipment and automation systems. KDK, founded in 1909, manufactured fans and home appliances. National, a historic brand known for home electronics, was also part of the corporate group. In 2009, the company acquired Sanyo, a subsidiary specializing in electronics and energy solutions. These acquisitions and subsidiaries expanded the company's market share and technological capabilities in sectors such as energy solutions and automotive systems.

### Political Institute and Legacy
Beyond his industrial achievements, Kōnosuke Matsushita was active in the field of politics and education. He founded the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in 1979. This institute, headquartered in Japan, was established as an educational institution focused on politics and government management. Matsushita's professional identity was multifaceted; he was recognized as an entrepreneur, businessperson, inventor, politician, and industrialist. His influence on the business world was profound, establishing a corporate culture that emphasized innovation and global reach.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Kōnosuke Matsushita received numerous awards and honors recognizing his contributions to industry and society. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, 1st class, a Japanese order established in 1888. He also received the China Reform Friendship Medal and the Order of the Defender of the Realm, a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service. Additionally, he was honored with the title of doctor honoris causa from Keiō University. These accolades reflect his significant impact on the electronics industry and his contributions to international relations and education.

## References

1. LIBRIS. 2018
2. [Source](http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-12/18/c_1123872223.htm)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. CiNii Research
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. Munzinger Personen
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. KAKEN
10. Catalogo of the National Library of India