Photo: Panasonic Corp
tennis

Panasonic signs Naomi Osaka as brand ambassador

38 Comments

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

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38 Comments
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blah blah blah.....

18 ( +22 / -4 )

Panasonic, another brand I will not buy from now on. Not that there was much to buy from them anyhow.

Not much to buy from? It's the number 1 electronics/appliance brand in Japan.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

"Tennis is what I do, not who I am."

If only Japanese society in general would embrace the same philosophy: that their jobs are just jobs, not their lives, not who they are.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

My toilet seat is from Panasonic

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Hopefully she is not expected to speak to the media about her love and use of Panasonic products.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

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.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

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.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Just don't ask her any questions about their products.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

Not exactly thinking ahead are they.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

She does not seem to be that much stressed any more when it comes to sign contracts that fill her pocket with money.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

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

4 ( +8 / -4 )

She does not seem to be that much stressed any more when it comes to sign contracts that fill her pocket with money.

Personally, I find that money is a fantastic stress-reliever.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Looks like every Olympic sponsor will be ‘showing all their cards’ and ‘cashing in all their chips’ in the next 30 days.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

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.

“… nor remain silent,” -

On some matters, “Yes”.

On other matters, “No”.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

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.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

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. 

i don't think getting money and advertising for Panasonic will help the society

5 ( +7 / -2 )

No more Panasonic for me.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Ms Osaka's intense and powerful playing is a source of energy and courage for people all over the world. 

Except if things get too intense, then complain and refuse to show up. How courageous and inspiring.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

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.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

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.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Naomi Osaka...bleahhhh.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

A perfect match. Panasonic .... a Japanese company that makes its product overseas and a "Japanese" tennis player that made her skills overseas.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

That’s a shame.

I used to buy a lot of

Panasonic items in the past.

Oh well, hello LG and Samsung!

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@shogun36

Sorry kid, LG and Samsung's flagships are in no way near as good as Panasonic in anything.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I much prefer Haruka Ayase. I hope this doesn't mean she's been given the boot.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@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!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@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.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Adidas (a while ago), Nike, Yonex, Nissan (a big hit with JT readers), ANA, Citizen, Nissin, Shiseido, Wowow, Tag Heuer, Luis Vuitton

That means I will only support Asics, Daihatsu, JAL, Casio, Acecook, Shu Uemura, Netflix, Swatch and Gucci lol

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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=mDzaHv9UAGo
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

 if she were actually living here she would likely have lots of tales of discrimination and hostility.

If she read her news items on JT she would.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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