Even VHS hasn't been enough for Victor. The company has lost money two of the last three fiscal years and is forecasting losses for the year that just ended March 31.
And with the advent of DVD, the bulkier video is rapidly growing obsolete. Victor workers are the first to admit they must continue to lead in new technologies.
But Takano's supporters say his philosophy of believing in his workers remains especially relevant today when companies can no longer churn out commodities and must nurture creativity.
"If only we had a manager like Mr. Takano today," said Mitsuo Sugaya, 60, who worked under Takano. "All managers think about these days is short-term profit."
In his retirement speech, Takano shrugged off his achievements.
"Back then, we were simply pursuing a dream," Takano said. "We could dream because God blessed me with such fabulous workers."
When Takano died in 1992 at 67, his hearse drove through the Victor plant in Yokohama. A crowd of workers came out to bid farewell.
Kiyoshi Sasabe, director of The Sun Will Rise Again, hopes to recapture some of that feeling with his film.
"I hope people see this film and leave the theater feeling that maybe there's hope for tomorrow."
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