Japan Tech Giant Panasonic Gets New Chief As Profit Growth Stalls

Japanese electronics and technology giant Panasonic has announced a leadership change following a modest 1.2% rise in first-quarter profit.

Kenneth William Sain is a former Boeing executive. I Photo: Panasonic Avionics X

Kenneth William Sain, a former Boeing executive, will replace Yasuyuki Higuchi as Panasonic’s president and CEO in April 2026, the company said.

Sain joined Panasonic in 2019 as CEO of Panasonic Avionics. “Ken is an exceptional leader with extensive global experience and a deep understanding of business and technology,” Higuchi said in a statement.

Panasonic Holdings Corp.’s April–June profit totaled ¥71.46 billion (US$483 million), up from ¥70.6 billion in the same period last year. However, quarterly sales declined 10.6% year-over-year to ¥1.9 trillion (US$12.8 billion).

The Osaka-based company, which makes home appliances, solar panels, and batteries for Tesla vehicles, maintained its full-year profit forecast at ¥310 billion (US$2.1 billion)—down 15% from the previous year.

Panasonic said the full impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs was not yet reflected, but it aims to offset the pressure through cost reductions and other measures.