On November 3, it was announced that the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) will open in Shanghai on November 5. During a pre-event media briefing, Tetsuro Homma, Global Vice President of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Chief Representative for Northeast Asia, expressed the company's ambition to cultivate next-generation home appliances in the Chinese market.

Homma reflected that 40 years ago, in 1985, when he joined Panasonic, the Japanese market rapidly absorbed various new technologies. Products popular among Japanese consumers were later introduced to European and American markets, and eventually to Asian markets, including China—examples include VCRs, washing machines, gaming consoles, and digital cameras. However, the Japanese market no longer plays this role today, and similar trends are rare in Western markets due to aging populations. In contrast, China continues to adopt and develop new technologies. As a result, Panasonic is prioritizing the deployment of generative AI-integrated products in China before expanding globally.

He noted that nearly 100% of Panasonic's home appliance designs, along with hardware and software development, are now conducted in China. This trend is extending to automotive components, factory automation products, and lithium batteries, gradually achieving localized R&D. Homma hopes that more products will undergo domestic R&D in China in the near future.

"Panasonic believes China is not only a manufacturing and consumption powerhouse but also an innovation hub with a vast pool of engineers. Moving forward, we aim to enhance production efficiency in China and will continue expanding our R&D teams, particularly software developers—both those creating IT tools for internal use and those developing software and programs for our products," Homma stated, emphasizing that Panasonic's R&D efforts in China will grow further.

As an eight-time participant in CIIE, Panasonic will showcase innovative solutions under the theme "Better Life Starts at Home and Extends to the City," spanning living spaces to public infrastructure.

Homma explained that Panasonic's exhibition themes evolve with China's societal changes and consumer trends. This year, the focus is on AI, with applications in two areas: consumer-facing generative AI-powered home appliances and residential equipment, and industrial components or production equipment supporting China's AI infrastructure.

Additionally, Panasonic will hold a strategic conference on November 6, where Homma will unveil the company's AI-driven core strategy and value chain layout in China, titled "Panasonic's AI Strategy for China: Pioneering Asia’s Digital Future."