THE JAPAN NEWS

 

BEIJING (Jiji Press) — Panasonic Corp. recently showed Japanese media a museum newly built in Beijing to showcase the management philosophy of its founder, Konosuke Matsushita, and the Japanese company’s wide-ranging operations.

The museum, which used to be a cathode-ray tube factory, Panasonic’s first plant in China, will open in late June. It is the firm’s first such facility overseas.

The firm’s moves into China came after then Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping asked Matsushita for cooperation in economic development during a trip to Japan in 1978.

Recently, Panasonic has attracted attention as a battery maker at a time when the Chinese government is pushing to promote the use of electric vehicles in its country.

This year not only marks the company’s 100th anniversary but also 40 years since Matsushita and Deng met, Sadaaki Yokoo, regional head for China and Northeast Asia, said.