Panasonic Group's social contribution activity "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" delivering light to unelectrified areas wins international award "AREA 2026"

Panasonic Holdings Corporation (hereinafter, Panasonic Group) has received the Social Empowerment award at the "Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2026," which evaluates and recognizes ESG/CSR initiatives of Asian companies, for its corporate citizenship activity "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE," which donates Panasonic Group-made solar lanterns to unelectrified areas. The awards ceremony was held on June 26, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Panasonic Group representatives received the award.

This award recognizes corporate initiatives that contribute to solving social issues and realizing a sustainable society, with the aim of promoting responsible corporate management in the Asian region. "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" was recognized for delivering solar lanterns to people living in unelectrified areas, as well as creating opportunities for education, health, and income improvement, thereby contributing to the revitalization of local communities.

During the judging, the initiative was highly praised for being meticulously planned and executed based on a clear strategy, and for bringing direct impact to the beneficiaries. "This is a highly meaningful initiative that expands the possibilities for education, health, safety, and living in unelectrified areas through 'light,' which is the origin of the Panasonic Group. It is an excellent example of corporate citizenship where the company's core business technology is naturally linked to solving social issues, and it has continued for 13 years, spreading to 36 countries worldwide. We highly value this aspect. We hope that this award will further broaden recognition of the significance of this initiative," commented Mr. Naoki Adachi, Representative Director of Responseability Co., Ltd., and an AREA 2026 judge.

Project Background

<Support Activities for Unelectrified Areas by Panasonic Group>

Since 2013, the Panasonic Group has been engaged in activities to deliver "light" to "unelectrified areas" where people cannot escape poverty due to the lack of light or electricity. In collaboration with approximately 160 partners, including NPOs/NGOs and international organizations, the group has delivered approximately 130,000 solar lanterns to 36 countries. These activities go beyond simply donating solar lanterns; by combining them with development support programs led by collaborative partners, they contribute to creating opportunities for education, health, and income improvement for people living in unelectrified areas, thereby fostering self-reliance for individuals and communities.

As part of these global activities, particularly in the Asian region, the group is responding to challenges such as underdeveloped power infrastructure and economic disparities that persist despite economic growth. Initiatives have been implemented in schools in mountainous areas of Northern Thailand, fishing villages in the Philippines without electricity grids, and rural farming areas in Cambodia.

Furthermore, these activities are supported by many people in Japan. Since 2018, in collaboration with group companies, local governments, universities, and events, the "Everyone's 'AKARI' Action" has been developed, inviting employees and the general public to participate. This initiative collects used books, CDs, DVDs, etc., as donations, and the proceeds are converted into solar lanterns and delivered to unelectrified areas. It constructs a participatory and circular scheme that encourages many people to turn their attention to social issues in unelectrified areas and to make behavioral changes they can undertake. This award recognizes not only the development support initiatives in the field but also the citizen participation and social ripple effects of these programs.

Going forward, the Panasonic Group will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders, including UN agencies and NPOs/NGOs, to create opportunities for education, health, and income improvement in unelectrified areas and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

<Related Information>

・【LIGHT UP THE FUTURE】Project to Illuminate the Future of Unelectrified Areas

https://holdings.panasonic/jp/corporate/sustainability/citizenship/lutf.html

・Panasonic Group's Corporate Citizenship Activities

https://holdings.panasonic/jp/corporate/sustainability/citizenship.html