Japanse electronics maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Company will change its name to Panasonic, public broadcaster NHK and Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday.

Panasonic is the brand for which Matsushita is best known globally, and there had been speculation that it would make the switch to help bolster its name recognition.

Matsushita spokesman Akira Kadota said he could not comment on the issue until the company holds a strategy briefing later on Thursday.-Reuters