Panasonic takes on Southeast Asia with high-tech blow dryers

TOKYO — Japan’s Panasonic is taking on Dyson and Chinese rivals in the Southeast Asian market by rolling out blow dryers equipped with beauty-enhancing functions, as it seeks to bolster its weak position in China.

Panasonic is setting itself apart from rivals by employing a unique technology that adjusts the hair’s moisture balance, resulting in shiny hair that is easy to style. The appliance maker is promoting them to popular media figures in Southeast and East Asia amid rising competition from Chinese makers, which boast quick drying and cheap prices.