Available since the Meiji period from 1908, the candies have become an easily recognizable icon in Japan.
The company ceased production during World War 2 due to the sugar shortages.
After the war, employees of the original company founded two new companies that continued making the candy, one using the original name and a second also called Sakuma Candy (サクマ製菓), but written in katakana instead of kanji.
On 9 November 2022 the original company announced they would cease operations on 20 January 2023.
Commemorative tins resembling the one depicted in the film and featuring an image of one of the main characters, Setsuko, have been released several times over the years.