website/content/museum/matsushita-national-jr-100.md

---
title: MATSUSHITA National JR 100
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1981'
cpus:
- MN 1800A
params:
  name: National JR 100
  image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/matsushita
  company_name: MATSUSHITA
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: National JR 100
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Matsushita
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1981'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Basic interpreter
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Poor rubber keyboard
  - label: CPU
    value: MN 1800A (6802 compatible)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 890 KHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 16 KB (up to 32 KB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 1 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 8 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 32 chars. x 24 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 64 characters with 6 x 7 dot matrix, 64 semi-graphic characters with 8 x 8 matrix, 32 User Defined Graphics with 8 x 8 matrix
  - label: COLORS
    value: Monochrome
  - label: SOUND
    value: Buzzer
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Monitor, Expansion, Tape
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: None
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 'Model JR-A12 power adaptor., Output: +7.8V (700 mA), -8V (10 mA), +17V (130 mA)'
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: An expansion unit (JR-U05) was created which added an extra 16 KB RAM, joystick and RS232 port. It was only available in Japan.
  - label: PRICE
    value: NZ$299 when introduced in New Zeland in 1983
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - software
  - emulators
  - docs
  - videos
  forum_thread: 326
  photos:
  - title: LARGE VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_system_2.jpg
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_inside_2.jpg
  - title: 'INSIDE #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_inside_1.jpg
  - title: REAR SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      From left to right:\
      • AC adaptor DIN plug\
      • Tape recorder In / Out jacks\
      • Expansion bus connector (covered)\
      • Composite video output\
      • +17V DC output. In some version this jack was replaced with a RF modulator output
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_rear_1.jpg
  - title: JAPANESE BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/national_jr100_box.jpg
  - title: EXPORT BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: English texts and manuals
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_exportbox_1.jpg
  - title: ENGLISH MANUALS
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_manuals_1.jpg
  - title: MANUAL EXTRACT
    subtitle: ''
    text: Extract from the introductory page of the JR-100 manual. Like in many Japanese manuals, these small figures help the user to learn the basic computer concepts and the Basic language.
    image: /media/museum/photos/matsushita_jr100_manualpage_1.jpg
  adverts:
  - title: JAPANESE ADVERT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The Japanese selling price was of 58.000 yen.

      Thanks to **Murray Moffatt**
    image: /media/museum/pubs/matsushita_jr100_pub_s1.jpg
  screenshots:
  - title: BASIC LISTING
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      These games were written by people that belonged to the New Zeland JR-100 Users Group.

      Thanks to **Murray Moffatt** for these screen shots
    image: /media/museum/software/matsushita_jr100_basiclisting_1.jpg
  - title: KINGS VALLEY
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/matsushita_jr100_sskingsvaley_1.jpg
  - title: CHESS
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/matsushita_jr100_sschess_1.jpg
  - title: DEFENDER
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/matsushita_jr100_ssdefender_1.jpg
  - title: MAZEMAN
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/matsushita_jr100_ssmazeman_1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: JR-100 emulator
    url: http://www.asamomiji.jp/kemusiro/index.php?JR-100%A5%A8%A5%DF%A5%E5%A5%EC%A1%BC%A5%BF
    platform: Windows
    text: japanese emulator
  docs:
  - title: PANASONIC JR-100U OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
    url: null
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/panasonic-jr-100u-operating-instructions-1.jpg
    text: |-
      **PANASONIC JR-100U OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS**\
      written by Panasonic

       compiled/archived by Murray Moffatt\
       type of document : Online reader

      **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
  videos:
  - title: JR-100 Demo tape
    url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Uz-ZeCm2A
    text: 'Length: 4 min 20 s'
  - title: Super Deflection game
    url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPld1yaNbSs
    text: 'Length: 1 min 23 s'
  oc_id: 320
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608213858/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=320
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The National (also known as Panasonic or Matsushita in other countries) JR series was pretty popular in Japan. Small quantities were sold outside Japan, in New Zeland among other countries.

Little is known about the first system of the range (please help!). It was obviously an initiation machine with black & white display and rubber keyboard.

The JR 100 was followed by the [JR 200](/museum/matsushita-national-jr-200/).

Thanks to **Murray Moffatt** from New Zeland for most of the information and pictures.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>