In November, Sony sent two chartered planes full of micro-TVs to the United States. This did not begin to meet the phenomenal demand, however.
Sony's biggest concern at the time was producing and sending as many sets as possible to the market before its competitors. To facilitate smoother production of the micro-TVs, all television transistors other than those for tuners were to be manufactured at Atsugi. The switch over was not working out as expected, however. The problem was linked to the strike the year before. The bulk of the picketers had been workers from the Atsugi plant, who had come by busloads. A year and a half later, the after-effects of the strike were still visible in the workers' attitudes.
The strike was a fatal blow for Sony Atsugi. The situation had been so bad that Ibuka and Morita considered closing the plant down temporarily and starting over again.
Ibuka believed that it was dangerous to pretend that the strike had never happened.  We have to face the causes of the strike squarely and make whatever improvements are needed. If we shirk away from this, we are in effect, limiting ourselves to this level of growth forever. They decided to take thorough and drastic action to clear up the problems at Atsugi.
The first step involved hiring Shigeru Kobayashi, former director of Kyodo Printing Co., as the new plant manager. Kobayashi had been involved in the settlement of large-scale labor disputes during his days at Kyodo. Since he had no experience whatsoever in transistors and electronics, however, he asked Ibuka to recommend some books on transistors.
Ibuka replied with a laugh, There's no need to study transistors; you probably wouldn't understand them anyway. Ibuka told Kobayashi, I don't mind if we have to close down the plant. I want you to do whatever you feel is best. Ibuka entrusted Kobayashi with the responsibility of rebuilding the employees' solidarity as he saw fit. Ibuka and the rest of management would back him up all the way.
At his inaugural ceremony Kobayashi told the workers, I don't know a thing about transistors, but I like people. Let's do our best to make this the finest plant in the world, together. Kobayashi's management policy was based on trust. The cashier-free cafeteria and abolition of timecards were among the policies Kobayashi introduced. Through such actions, workers had to live up to the trust that had been placed in them. In addition to the reforms undertaken in the plant, positive moves were made to build up a closer relationship with the community.
Through Kobayashi's diligent efforts, gradual change could be seen. However, the plant was still in the initial stages of recovery. One day, Atsugi plant deputy manager Setsuo Tomizawa was summoned to the head office by Iwama. Iwama told him, As of next week I will visit the Atsugi plant every Wednesday. Please inform Kobayashi of my plans. Tomizawa hurriedly returned to Atsugi to report this to Kobayashi.
 If they are sending Iwama, the manager of the Semiconductor Department, to Atsugi to supervise us directly, then it's time to turn in our resignations. Kobayashi was sure that Iwama's visits spelled the end of all his efforts, and resigned himself to Iwama's visit.
The following Wednesday Iwama appeared as promised. He addressed the entire Atsugi work force: Everyone please relax. I have come as the best semiconductor engineer in the world to help you. So please don't worry.
Iwama's words were a source of encouragement for the workers. The paternal leader of Sony's Semiconductor Department would be working right there with them. And indeed Iwama took time out of his busy schedule to visit the Atsugi plant every Wednesday. He helped out in the remodeling of transistors and often offered encouragement to the workers. Needless to say, Kobayashi and his staff kept their jobs.
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