Before present-day Panasonic produced appliances under the name, the National brand was first used by Konosuke Matsushita's electric firm to sell his battery-powered bicycle lamps, hoping that they would be a product used by all of Japan, hence the name "National".

The brand made a brief appearance in 2003 on rice cookers, meat grinders and a handful of small kitchen appliances.

In addition, National rice cookers were imported for sale in many Asian-American markets.

National was well known throughout Asia as a reputable manufacturer of domestic appliances such as rice cookers.

The brand was known for producing high quality cycles at a relatively low price, as the result of a very high degree of factory automation and a resultingly low labor force with attendant savings in salaries and benefits.