NEWS



Lighting the way out of poverty

LIGHT BECOMES The LIGHT THAT LEADS TO THE EXIT FROM POVERTY.

The world's population is said to exceed 8 billion people.
Nearly half—about 4 billion people—live on an annual income
of less than $ 3,000.

Today, over 700 million people live in off-grid areas w here there
is no electricity or other infrastructure.

Panasonic, which started out in business with an electrical device
called an attachment plug, carries on its founder's belief of
eradicating poverty throughout the world, and in 2023 began an
initiative to solve the problem of poverty through light.

The "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" project ensures a brighter
future f or off-grid areas


By providing not just light and electricity but also a support
system for education, health and increased income, Panasonic is
helping to create a poverty-free world.

When there is light, people can receive medical treatment in
hospitals, study at home, and get better jobs as a result.
In this way, bringing light to people in off-grid areas ensures a
brighter future for those who live there.
Companies, organizations, and individuals are welcome to
participate in this initiative. Please join us.

Project video

Every person's actions provide
the power for a brighter future.

TAKING ACTION WILL BECOME THE DRIVING FORCE THAT ILLUMINATES THE FUTURE.

It all began with a heartfelt letter we received in 2006 from a government minister in Uganda, Africa.
He wrote, "There are people suffering from health issues caused by the black smoke of kerosene lamps. I believe that lighting powered by renewable energy could be the key to solving this problem. Please, lend us your support."
Deeply moved by this appeal, we began developing solar lanterns and donating them to communities in need. In the following years, we continued to explore ways to provide clean, sustainable lighting to off-grid areas. What started as a small step grew into a sustained effort to bring hope and light to those who need it most.

Starting in 2013, for over 10 years Panasonic has worked on the "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" project to ensure a brighter future for off-grid areas.

Beginning with a constant process of trial and error, we are gradually seeing results thanks to the cooperation of companies, organizations, and individuals.
Moving for ward, we will share the know-how and information acquired from our support program, collaborating with diverse people and communities to create an even bigger wave of social contribution activities.

Regardless of scale, anyone who takes action toward a brighter future is, in their own way, a member of the “LIGHT UP THE FUTURE” project who shares our vision.

We hope that our efforts will serve as an example for your social contribution activities.

Support system

Connecting small points of light to bring about great change.


While thinking about how we can ensure our activities are truly useful to people in off-grid areas,
we have continued making improvements, including to our system for providing ongoing support.
In moving forward with this project, we are always looking for better ways to provide support.


The "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" PROJECT is changing lives in off-grid areas



Activities in the field

Solar Lantern
Solar Energy Storage System

Collaborative partnerships with UN organizations, NGOs, and government agencies for sustainable support activities.


Education
Use for night study
Health
Night medical treatment available
Increased income
Increased income by making beads at night

Activities outside local areas

"Indifference" i s t he g reatest o bstacle to r esolving s ocial i ssues.
Creation of interest

Posting on social media


Publishing of articles and videos


Awareness-raising events


By spreading the word and raising awareness in other parts of the world, more people learn about the problems in off-grid areas and become willing to take action, no matter how small, toward resolving social issues.

Donate used items to brighten the future for the world’s children!


Results

Changes Made Possible by Electric Light


Education


Time spent studying at night 1.5h/day UP!

Donor Organization:
UN Population Fund
Country name: Kenya
Period: 2022-2023
Survey method:
Interview survey


Education


Test pass rate for promotion to next grade 57% → 100%

Donor Organization:
Saetanar
Country name: Myanmar
Period: 2015–2017
Survey method:
School statistics


Health


Babies born under electric light 2,434

Donor Organization:
Save the Children Japan
Country name: Myanmar
Period: 2015–2017
Survey method:
Estimate based on health authority figures


Health


Number of nighttime medical examinations 200 cases → 1000 cases / year

Donor Organization:
World Vision Tanzania
Country name: Tanzania
Period: 2022
Survey method:
Aggregated data from clinics


Increased income


Money saved by not using kerosene 260 USD / year

Donor Organization:
JELA
Country name: Cambodia
Period: 2022-2023
Survey method:
Interview survey


Increased income


Income from work done at night 53% UP!

Donor Organization:
UN Population Fund
Country name: Kenya
Period: 2022-2023
Survey method:
Interview survey


Environment


CO2 emitted from kerosene lamps approx.81,000 ton Reduce

Period : 2013 - 2022
Survey method :
Based on our calculation method


Environment


Created clean energy 1,070 MWh Create

Period : 2013 - 2019
Survey method :
Based on our calculation method


Other


People who feel it is safer  to go out at night 94%

Donor Organization:
ICAN
Country name: Djibouti
Period: 2022
Survey method:
Interview survey


Other


People who feel family interaction and communication have improved 100%

Donor Organization:
JELA
Country name: Cambodia
Period: 2022-2023
Survey method:
Interview survey

Past Donation Countries

More than 120.000 solar lanterns donated to 36 countries