Panasonic Corp has signed a brand ambassador agreement with professional women's tennis player Naomi Osaka. The period of agreement is two years, which started from April 22, 2021.
Panasonic said in a statement that it sought the agreement with Osaka after observing that her values and perspectives on society deeply resonate with its own management philosophy, primarily with regard to the following three points:
"First, Ms Osaka takes social issues seriously, looking beyond tennis to share her views on what a better society would look like in her own words. The founder of Panasonic, Konosuke Matsushita, held the notion that a stable state of happiness comes only when both mental stability and material prosperity are secured. Based on this idea, the company endeavors to create an ideal society where all of us can enjoy lives that are both mentally fulfilling and affluent in the material sense.
"Second, Ms Osaka's intense and powerful playing is a source of energy and courage for people all over the world. Panasonic has passed down the founder’s view that the mission of an enterprise is to achieve a prosperous society and to make people happy, and continues to work toward fulfilling a strong aspiration not only to provide products needed by society, but also to make customers who use them feel happy and uplifted.
"And third, Ms Osaka continues to grow and evolve as her magnificent track record being one of the world’s top athletes is the result of her tireless efforts to refine each and every move in the course of her daily training and matches. Panasonic also continues to grow and evolve in a range of fields, aiming to elevate its expertise for the benefit of customers and society and achieve constant evolution.
"Ms Osaka has shown she has the courage to take action in the face of adversity. Panasonic will provide her with heartfelt support."
Source: Panasonic Corp
© Japan Today
38 Comments
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jiji Xx
blah blah blah.....
garypen
Not much to buy from? It's the number 1 electronics/appliance brand in Japan.
garypen
If only Japanese society in general would embrace the same philosophy: that their jobs are just jobs, not their lives, not who they are.
Monty
My toilet seat is from Panasonic
Wakarimasen
Hopefully she is not expected to speak to the media about her love and use of Panasonic products.
Kaerimashita
he corporate blah is just terrible. I like how Japanese companies have all rushed to embrace (use?) her whereas if she were actually living here she would likely have lots of tales of discrimination and hostility.
itsonlyrocknroll
All my toilets Panasonic white arauno series.
I sat this afternoon book in hand, and an eerily sound echoed out from below....
"First, Ms Osaka takes social issues seriously"......
"Second, Ms Osaka's intense and powerful playing is a source of energy and courage for people all over the world"
"And third, Ms Osaka continues to grow and evolve as her magnificent track record being one of the world’s top athletes".................
"Ms Osaka has shown she has the courage to take action in the face of adversity. Panasonic will provide her with heartfelt support."
Thank JT for warning me that the message could be broadcast, and communicated through the commode.
I needed to lie down.
Objective
Just don't ask her any questions about their products.
Dale Spenser
Not exactly thinking ahead are they.
daito_hak
She does not seem to be that much stressed any more when it comes to sign contracts that fill her pocket with money.
itsonlyrocknroll
Naomi Osaka has her commercial, financial head on the right way up.
It is instinctive, the timing, the managed PR ,the clever will she won't she?
The queen of a PR extravaganza, and little need to play tennis.
Or attend a press conference.
It is the art of managing the expectations of a public that is prepared to throw there hard earned at her.
The rest of us has to borrow and work
garypen
Personally, I find that money is a fantastic stress-reliever.
snowymountainhell
Looks like every Olympic sponsor will be ‘showing all their cards’ and ‘cashing in all their chips’ in the next 30 days.
snowymountainhell
The text in the advertisement reads like it was written and went to the printers before she recently asserted ‘her rights to silence’… on *some** *matters.
On some matters, “Yes”.
On other matters, “No”.
itsonlyrocknroll
The champion, for progress.......
Whatever you think of Naomi , the sound bite is a winner.
Hear that! my Panasonic loo's are a Naomi cash register.
Ching, ching....
And perfectly timed for the Games.
gakinotsukai
i don't think getting money and advertising for Panasonic will help the society
Pierre LeVenerable
No more Panasonic for me.
JeffLee
Except if things get too intense, then complain and refuse to show up. How courageous and inspiring.
Peter Neil
From the advert:
"I cannot ignore others who are less fortunate."
She should give the all of the contract money to build a hospital in Haiti, her other nationality. She is already the richest female athlete in the world. But, I'm sure she'll go buy another $7 million house somewhere to hide out in.
timeon
For those of you throwing away your Panasonic TVs over this announcement, you should know that Naomi Osaka endorses a few more brands: Adidas (a while ago), Nike, Yonex, Nissan (a big hit with JT readers), ANA, Citizen, Nissin, Shiseido, Wowow, Tag Heuer, Luis Vuitton.
Just to know which evil companies to stay away from.
Speed
Naomi Osaka...bleahhhh.
Mr Kipling
A perfect match. Panasonic .... a Japanese company that makes its product overseas and a "Japanese" tennis player that made her skills overseas.
shogun36
That’s a shame.
I used to buy a lot of
Panasonic items in the past.
Oh well, hello LG and Samsung!
Sindhoor GK
@shogun36
Sorry kid, LG and Samsung's flagships are in no way near as good as Panasonic in anything.
Sal Affist
I much prefer Haruka Ayase. I hope this doesn't mean she's been given the boot.
virusrex
Interesting that sponsors still choose to support her, I like this even if only because that would be against the terrible post game interviews that plague sports now.
kaimycahl
How many "M" does she have in her bank account!! Winning and the cash register is singing cha ching!!! You might not like her but it is what it is!
kaimycahl
@timeon
For those of you throwing away your Panasonic TVs over this announcement, you should know that Naomi Osaka endorses a few more brands: Adidas (a while ago), Nike, Yonex, Nissan (a big hit with JT readers), ANA, Citizen, Nissin, Shiseido, Wowow, Tag Heuer, Luis Vuitton. Just to know which evil companies to stay away from. Your post is miss leading Naomi cannot endorse Adidas and Nike at the same time. Don't hate on the player hate the game!!!
ZPS
This signing speaks volumes at the strides that are being made to appear more progressive. But, another aspect of this is the pressure is even greater on Naomi to deliver gold.
Sindhoor GK
@Sai Affist I hope not. Even I prefer Haruka Ayase. But I'd prefer Panasonic make more advertisements promoting LGQBT rights like it has been doing recently.
NOMINATION
That means I will only support Asics, Daihatsu, JAL, Casio, Acecook, Shu Uemura, Netflix, Swatch and Gucci lol
itsonlyrocknroll
virusrex..........
It is contrived.
May I suggest you are seated.
"A CHAMPION. FOR PROGRESS." - Naomi Osaka, a brand ambassador of Panasonic
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDzaHv9UAGogbpjpy
Only conclusion I can come to here is a lot of haters. If we had the talent would have the same opportunities too and am sure would take them up. Good luck to her.
Bob Fosse
If she read her news items on JT she would.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Sports and Games - life in full flow. Footballers, cricketers, hockey and tennis players, and all other athletes - through their heroic performances, bring joy and thrill in the lives of the young and the young at heart. Through constant and regular practice, they keep themselves fit and agile to conquer dizzy heights of endurance and excellence. We are privileged to be watching them on the big stage. May all of them, enjoy good health of mind and body.