Panasonic rice cookers will soon be made in Japan and are scheduled to be handed over to Chinese factories.

CTOnews.com, December 27, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Panasonic expects to end production of rice cookers in Japan in June 2023.

Reported that domestic production for Japan is mainly carried out in the Kadong factory (Hyogo City, Hyogo Prefecture), but the market is expected to shrink, so production will be handed over to Chinese factories in the future. The Canadian plant is turning to other businesses, and Panasonic is considering transferring about 100 of its 500 employees to other businesses of the group.

CTOnews.com learned that Panasonic began to launch rice cookers in 1956, with a wide range of products ranging from high-end products with electromagnetic induction heating (IH) to models for singles. Despite the top market share, Panasonic decided to restructure its business to enhance profitability as a result of a decline in the domestic market growth and increased competition with professional rice cooker manufacturers.

The Canadian factory mainly produces high-end models, and some low-end models have been imported from overseas factories. In the future, all products will be imported from China, India and other places. After the relocation of the production line, the Cadong plant will not be closed and will turn to the recycling business already carried out next to the plant.