CSR deemed essential for genuine business success

Panasonic Risupia is a widely lauded scientific playground for children

Founded on March 7, 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita, Panasonic Corporation has been following its founder’s management philosophy to create “A Better Life, A Better World” through business and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to improve the lives of people around the world. The corporation began business in Vietnam nearly 50 years ago, aiming to contribute to the country’s society through activities ranging from research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and sales and distribution to CSR.

“Our mission in Vietnam is contributing to the sustainable development of the country and a better life for all Vietnamese people,” said Kazuhiro Matsushita, general director of Panasonic Vietnam.

As a result, Panasonic Vietnam not only expands manufacturing, but also spends continuous efforts on CSR activities. Established in 2010 at the suggestion of former Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, Risupia Vietnam is one of the corporation’s commitments to supporting the young generation of Vietnam. The facility is a unique combination of Panasonic’s advanced technologies and fundamental principles of mathematics and science to create a wonderful world of science through fun exhibitions. The facility has attracted 600,000 visitors, including nearly 400,000 students, in eight years. Panasonic Risupia’s efforts to create a scientific playground for Vietnamese children has been recognised by the Ministry of Education and Training that Minister Phung Xuan Nha issued the decision awarding an “Education Certificate of Merit” to Hamazaki Yoshiko, the representative of Panasonic Corporation, and a “Ministerial Certificate” to Risupia Vietnam. Furthermore, Panasonic has also introduced other educational and environmental programmes, such as Panasonic Scholarship, Kid Witness News, Panasonic Global Eco Learning Programme, as well as tree planting activities. The Solar Lantern Project, conducted globally as part of Panasonic’s 100th anniversary celebrations, aiming to donate 100,000 solar lanterns to areas with no electricity, has been held in provinces such as Dien Bien, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai, providing 2,832 lanterns.

“2018 marks a historical milestone for Panasonic as we celebrate our 100-year anniversary globally. Looking forward to the next century, we will keep innovating customers’ everyday life and enriching the world with our aspiration as a brand built upon 100 years of reliability,” said Matsushita.