Panasonic India Chairman Manish Sharma Steps Down, Japanese Leadership Returns
Manish Sharma has stepped down as chairman of Panasonic India after a 17-year tenure, with Tadashi Chiba, the managing director and CEO, assuming additional responsibilities. This leadership change marks a return to Japanese top management in India, though local autonomy remains intact. Panasonic India continues its strategic pivot towards technology and B2B segments while exiting loss-making consumer appliances businesses.
Panasonic India announced that Manish Sharma, who served for 17 years in various leadership roles including chairman since 2021, has decided to step down to pursue new aspirations. This decision was mutually agreed upon and communicated internally. Tadashi Chiba, currently managing director and CEO of Panasonic Life Solutions India, will take on the chairman role and additional responsibilities, symbolizing a return to Japanese leadership at the top management level in India. Despite the leadership shift, Panasonic maintains that local autonomy within Indian operations will not be compromised. Over recent years, Panasonic India has transitioned from a consumer electronics-focused company to a technology-driven enterprise expanding into business-to-business segments like EV batteries and smart factory solutions. Earlier in the year, it exited loss-making refrigerator and washing machine categories due to intense competition. The company’s strategic focus now includes broadening its product portfolio to meet consumer demands and strengthening distribution channels to capture emerging markets. Additionally, Panasonic Energy India has appointed Akio Fujita as Chairman and Managing Director effective July 2025, reflecting broader leadership changes aimed at enhancing growth and innovation strategies across Panasonic's Indian businesses.
