Panasonic is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic and electric products. Panasonic currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology, expanding to building materials and equipment, and housing business. As of October 1, 2008, the Company changed its company name from “Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.” to “Panasonic Corporation.” Upon the company name change, Panasonic implemented its brand name change from the “National” brand, used for home appliances and housing equipment in Japan, and “Technics” brand, used for audio equipment, to the “Panasonic” brand. This brand name change will be completed by the end of fiscal 2010, ending March 31, 2010. Accordingly, the corporate brands will be “Panasonic” and “PanaHome.”

Panasonic divides its businesses into five segments: Digital AVC Networks, Home Appliances, PEW and PanaHome, Components and Devices, and Other. “Digital AVC Networks” includes video and audio equipment, and information and communications equipment. “Home Appliances” includes household equipment. “PEW and PanaHome” includes electrical supplies, home appliances, building materials and equipment, and housing business. “Components and Devices” includes semiconductors, general electronic components, batteries and electric motors. “Other” includes FA equipment and other industrial equipment.

JVC issued and allocated new shares of its common stock to third parties on August 10, 2007. As a result, Panasonic’s shareholding of JVC decreased from 52.4% to 36.8%, and JVC and its subsidiaries became an associated company under the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary in the fiscal 2008 second quarter. On October 1, 2008, JVC and Kenwood integrated management by establishing JVC KENWOOD Holdings, Inc. (JVC KENWOOD HD) through a share transfer. The Company has 24.4% of total issued shares of JVC KENWOOD HD. Given JVC’s equity method investment status, the income statement and balance sheet impact of JVC is expected to decrease significantly in future periods and insignificant compared to both existing business segment reporting and consolidated income before income taxes. The provisions of SFAS No. 131 in these circumstances are not applicable to insignificant entities and accordingly, sales and profit in the JVC segment are no longer reported subsequent to the date of deconsolidation.

Panasonic’s consolidated sales and earnings results during the last three fiscal years, reflecting the aforementioned external and internal conditions, can be summarized as follows:

In fiscal 2009, net sales amounted to 7,766 billion yen, down 14% from the previous year. Sales declined in all segments mainly as a result of a sharp deterioration of the world economy from October 2008. Regarding earnings, although the Company implemented thorough streamlining of material cost by reducing number of components and improving material yield ratio and made all-out efforts to reduce fixed cost, the effect of a sharp sales decline including approximately 20-30% decrease in prices for flat-panel TVs and rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials on a yearly basis led to a decrease in earnings. In addition, the Company incurred 314 billion yen as expenses associated with impairment losses of fixed assets, 53 billion yen as restructuring charges and 92 billion yen as a write-down of investment securities. As a result of these and other factors, the Company incurred a pre-tax loss of 383 billion yen and a net loss of 379 billion yen.

In fiscal 2008, net sales amounted to 9,069 billion yen, mostly the same level from the previous year. In real terms except JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries), the Company cited sales gains in all segments, due mainly to favorable sales in digital AV products and white goods. Regarding earnings, despite the effects from rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials, and ever-intensified global price competition, sales gains excluding the effect of JVC and the cost reduction efforts including materials costs and fixed costs led to the earnings gains. In addition, the Company incurred 33 billion yen as expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs and 32 billion yen as impairment losses on the investments, as well as 45 billion yen as impairment losses from tangible fixed assets. Reflecting all these factors and a decrease in provision for income taxes, the Company recorded a net income of 282 billion yen, up 30% from the previous year.

In fiscal 2007, net sales increased 2% to 9,108 billion yen, due mainly to an increase in sales of digital products such as flat-panel TVs in Japan and overseas. Regarding earnings, despite the effects from rising raw materials prices and ever-intensified global price competition, an increase in sales, cost rationalization and a weaker yen contributed to earnings gains. In addition, the Company recorded gains on the sale of the investments regarding cable broadcasting business and gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, and incurred restructuring expenses, including 14 billion yen associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, and 49 billion yen as impairment losses. Accordingly, the Company recorded a net income of 217 billion yen.