Support for Every Individual: People with Disabilities

Photo: Image of an employee using a wheelchair working at a desk Photo: Image of an employee using a wheelchair working at a desk

Panasonic supports all employees, whether they have a disability or not, enabling them to express their individuality, take on new challenges, and thrive.

Creating a workplace where people can take on challenges and thrive regardless of whether or not they have a disability

Assurance of information for employees who are deaf or hard of hearing

When employees who are deaf or hard of hearing participate in training, we provide a sign language interpreter or use voice recognition software to ensure that there is no impediment in exchanging information. UD Talk, a communication support and conversation visualization application, was introduced throughout the company in April 2020, and we have also prepared manuals and training content, which are now in use at more than 100 workplaces.

Image: Pictogram of UD Talk, a communication support and conversation visualization application
UD Talk, a communication support
and conversation visualization application

Barrier-free environment

We also promote working environment improvements such as floors without steps or dips, lighting that is sufficiently bright, and unassigned desk space in an open office format.

Photo: Image of an office with an open format, where an employee using a wheelchair and an employee in a chair are working together

Educational materials

Panasonic also develops educational materials to improve employees’ understanding about people with disabilities and to provide opportunities for further learning.

Image: Screen capture from the video Working with People with Disabilities: Basic Knowledge

Related information:

Current status of employment of people with disabilities

Our employment rate of people with disabilities is 2.40% in the Japan region (as of FY2022). We will continue to develop an environment where both people with and without disabilities can take on challenges and flourish in the workplace.

*Definition of terms used on this section:
- Fiscal year: from April 1 to March 31 of the following year (e.g. Fiscal 2021: April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021)

Employment Rate of Workers with Disabilities (Japan region)

Figure: Line graph showing the employment rate of people with disabilities, which is showing an upward trend, with 2.16% in 2014, 2.15% in 2015, 2.18% in 2016, 2.15% in 2017 and 2018, 2.20% in 2019, 2.33% in 2020, 2.40% in 2021, 2.41% in 2022.

*Definition of terms used on this section:

  • Japan region: Refers to Panasonic Corporation and some of its affiliates in the Japan region up until March 2022.
  • Panasonic Corporation: Refers to Panasonic Corporation up until March 2022 (prior to the transition to an operating company system).

Related information:

Cooperation with local communities and governments

Community-based farms provide employment for people with disabilities

Panasonic Farm Miyoshi in Miyoshi City, Aichi Prefecture, was established in 2018 within the Work Happiness Farm Aichi Miyoshi Farm, which is operated by S-Pool Plus, Inc. The farm provides a workplace where employees with disabilities can play an active role through vegetable cultivation.

The vegetables, such as Japanese mustard spinach and cherry tomatoes, grown and harvested by a team of about 40 people, are provided to employee cafeterias at Panasonic Group locations, including Kadoma in Osaka, and are also distributed to related internal departments.

Photo: Group photo of employees involved in vegetable cultivation at Panasonic Farm Miyoshi

Workplace environment

We are creating a workplace environment that is comfortable for employees with disabilities, which includes specially designed workbenches and arrangements suitable for people who use wheelchairs.

Acceptance of interns and visitors

In order to promote understanding and employment for people with disabilities, we actively accept junior and senior high school students for work experience-based learning and technical internship students with disabilities, and provide workplace tours.

Special Subsidiaries (employee figures are as of June 2021)

Company Name

Year of Establishment

Number of Employees
(Number of Persons with Disabilities)

Description of Business

1980

78 (35)

Assembly of video camera LCD units and video accessories

1981

38 (33)

Assembly of avionics products and inspection and packaging of AV accessories

1994

67 (37)

Assembly of electronic circuits (for massage chairs, shavers, etc.)

1980

44 (25)

Assembly of ventilating fan parts and printing of user manuals

1998

76 (43)

Growing and selling of orchids, sale and rental of decorative plants, distribution of internal mail, cleaning and beautification of company premises
  • Harima Sanyo Industry Co., Ltd.

1982

38 (21)

Assembly of vacuum cleaner parts and maintenance of the internal environment

1992

56 (23)

Manufacture of LED products and light sensors