Earthquake-sensing circuit breakers installed in over 14,000 homes; active adoption planned for renovations and rentals

Panasonic Homes Co., Ltd. has been installing earthquake-sensing circuit breakers, which automatically cut off electricity when shaking of intensity 5 or stronger is detected, to prevent electrical fires caused by major earthquakes. These have been standard in our new detached homes since April 202081、 and have been installed in approximately 14,400 homes2 cumulatively. Moving forward, in addition to detached homes, we will be promoting their installation further in renovations of existing (used) homes and rental properties.

▼ Full release details here:

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Earthquake-sensing circuit breaker (built-in type) adopted in our homes

Background for promoting the installation of earthquake-sensing circuit breakers

In response to the numerous fires caused by electrical issues during the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, the government has been promoting the spread of earthquake-sensing circuit breakers and similar devices to reduce damage from electrical fires. On June 12, 2026, the "Basic Plan for Urgent Disaster Prevention Measures for the Capital Directly Beneath the Earthquake" was revised for the first time in 11 years, outlining measures to suppress damage from a potential earthquake directly beneath the capital. The plan now aims for "general installation" of earthquake-sensing circuit breakers throughout the Capital Directly Beneath the Earthquake Urgent Disaster Prevention Zone (1 metropolitan area and 9 prefectures), a measure previously focused primarily on densely populated wooden housing areas. The goal is to reduce the projected damage, which includes up to 18,000 deaths and 400,000 completely destroyed or burned-out buildings, to less than half.

Our company has been engaged in disaster prevention efforts through home building for over 50 years, pursuing "disaster-resilient homes." As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening home disaster resilience, including the installation of earthquake-sensing circuit breakers, under the theme of "resilience" against disasters, we made them standard in our new detached homes starting in April 20201、 following a series of major natural disasters in 2018 such as the Osaka Prefecture Northern Earthquake, the West Japan Flood, and the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake. In fiscal year 2025, approximately 2,200 units, or about 80%3, of our detached homes are equipped with them.

In light of the government's strengthened promotion measures, we plan to actively promote their installation in renovations for existing (used) homes and aim for their standard adoption in rental properties.

1、 In some cases, customers may request the installation of a distribution board from another manufacturer, or may not wish to install an earthquake-sensing circuit breaker due to reasons such as using medical equipment at home or keeping pets.

2 Cumulative number of units installed from April 2020 to May 2026 (including condominiums).

3 Percentage of cumulative detached homes sold in fiscal year 2025.