Panasonic to slash global workforce by 10,000 people, half in Japan and half overseas

Panasonic will slash its global workforce by 10,000 people, half in Japan and half overseas, to become a more efficient, “lean” company, the Japanese manufacturer said Friday.

The job cuts, amounting to about 4% of its 230,000 workers, will include early retirement offers in Japan and closures and consolidation of various operations, according to the Osaka-based maker of home appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators.