Here are the best-known Japanese TV brands and one example model from each.
This guide covers Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp and Hitachi: when each company was founded, what its TVs are sold as, and one example model from each brand.
The models below are examples to help you compare the brands. We have not tested them.
What is the most popular TV brand in Japan?
There is no single official ranking of TV brands in Japan. Well-known TV brands in Japan include Sony (BRAVIA), Panasonic (VIERA), Sharp (AQUOS) and REGZA, the former Toshiba TV brand.
Toshiba sold its TV business to China's Hisense group in 2018. REGZA TVs are now made by TVS REGZA, and Toshiba licenses its brand name for those TVs (Toshiba announcement).
Hitachi stopped selling its own Wooo TVs in Japan in 2018, so in Japan the name now appears mainly on other home appliances (Hitachi Wooo support page).
Japanese TV Brands: Quick Glance
| Japanese TV brands | Model | Special Features |
| Sony | Sony X800H | 4k HDR processorAndroid + Google AssistantDolby Vision |
| Panasonic | Panasonic TH-55JZ2000 | Dynamic High ContrastFall Prevention StandOLED Display |
| Toshiba | Toshiba 50LF621U21 | Fire TV Compatible4K UHD SmartSuperior picture quality |
| Sharp | Sharp LC-75N8000U | High dynamic rangeBuilt-in Wi-FiAquamotion |
| Hitachi | Hitachi 55RH1 | Smart Roku OSMobile App Support120 Backlight Frequency |
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Reviews of the Best Japanese TV Brands
Sony X800H
Sony is known around the world for its electronics. It was founded in Japan in 1946.
Sony makes a wide range of TV sizes, with LED and OLED models and 4K resolution.
Sony sells its TVs under the BRAVIA name.
One example is the Sony X800H, a 4K LED smart TV from Sony's 2020 range with Android TV, Google Assistant and Dolby Vision.
Pros:
- 4K Ultra HD
- Dolby Vision
- Android + Google Assistant Compatibility
- Triluminos Display
- Ultra-slim
Cons:
- Can be on the expensive end if you are on a tight budget
Panasonic TH-55JZ2000
Panasonic was founded in Osaka in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita. It was called Matsushita Electric Industrial until 2008.
Along with TVs, Panasonic makes refrigerators, washing machines, kitchen appliances and other home appliances.
The TH-55JZ2000 is a 55-inch 4K OLED VIERA TV released in Japan in 2021. It has two built-in 4K satellite tuners and a stand designed to help stop it falling over (Panasonic spec page, Japanese).
Pros:
- Dynamic High Contrast
- Fall Prevention Stand
- OLED Display
- 4K Built-in Double Tuner
- 4K enabled speaker
- Fall-prevention stand
Toshiba 50LF621U21
Toshiba traces its roots back to 1875, which makes it one of Japan's oldest electrical companies.
Toshiba is headquartered in Tokyo. It sold its TV business to the Hisense group in 2018, and Toshiba-brand TVs are now made by other companies under licence.
The Toshiba 50LF621U21 is a 50-inch 4K Fire TV Edition smart TV with apps like Netflix and Prime Video built in.
Pros:
- Fire TV Compatible
- 4K UHD Smart
- Superior picture quality
- Wi-Fi, HDMI and USB connectivity
- Stunning colors
Sharp LC-75N8000U
Sharp was founded in 1912.
Sharp sells its TVs and smartphones under the AQUOS brand.
The Sharp LC-75N8000U is a 75-inch 4K AQUOS smart TV with LED backlighting and built-in apps such as Prime Video, YouTube and Netflix.
Pros:
- Host of built-in apps like YouTube and Netflix
- HDR Support
- Aquos Display
- App store and Web browser enabled
- 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports and built-in Wi-Fi
- High Dynamic Range Playback
Cons:
- Does not contain built-in Bluetooth
Hitachi 55RH1
Hitachi was founded in 1910 in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture (Hitachi history). As well as TVs, it has made microwaves, refrigerators, air conditioners and other appliances.
Hitachi no longer sells its own TVs in Japan. Outside Japan, Hitachi-brand TVs have been sold in markets such as the US.
The Hitachi 55RH1 is a 55-inch 4K Roku TV from 2018, with the Roku smart TV system and Roku mobile app support.
Pros:
- 4K Perfect Ultra HD
- Mobile App Support
- Simple and Smart Roku OS
- High Frequency Backlight
- High Contrast and Vibrant Color
Which TV brands are Japanese?
These well-known TV brands come from Japan:
- Hitachi
- Sony
- Panasonic
- Sharp
- Toshiba
- Sansui
Samsung and LG are sometimes mistaken for Japanese brands, but both are from South Korea.
Is Samsung better or LG?
Both are South Korean brands. Which is better depends on the model and your budget, so compare the specific models you are considering.
Are Panasonic TVs still made in Japan?
Panasonic ended TV production in Japan in 2021, when it moved production of its OLED TVs from its Utsunomiya plant to Malaysia (Nikkei, Japanese).
Closing Thoughts
Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba and Hitachi are the best-known Japanese TV brands, although Toshiba’s TV business now belongs to the Hisense group and Hitachi no longer sells its own TVs in Japan.
To choose, compare specific models by screen size, panel type (LED or OLED), smart TV system and price.
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