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After weathering two major ordeals – an entire line-up of defective
lamps and a devastating fire that completely destroyed the Moriguchi Plant – SANYO
was to face yet another crisis. In June of 1950, nickel, an essential material
for bicycle lamps, became extremely scarce as a result of the start of the Korean
War.
Previously, Japan had imported nickel from Canada. Unfortunately, as war broke
out, the Canadian government placed a ban on the export of nickel at the request
of the U.S. which had designated nickel an important munitions material. The Japanese
government, in support of the U.S., also restricted the use of nickel for civilian
goods.
This left Toshio at a complete loss. Without nickel he could not produce dynamo-powered
bicycle lamps. And stopping the production of bicycle lamps would mean the end
of SANYO Electric. At the time, he believed his only option was to petition the
Japanese government to change its policy. On frequent visits to the Ministry of
International Trade and Industry and other concerned authorities in Tokyo, Toshio
appealed for restrictions to be lifted. His efforts, however, went unrewarded.
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