I think it very telling that some of the Japanese CR list followers have not added their opinion on this topic.
Zunow, Toei, Watanabe, 3Rensho, Nagasawa and many others let alone the makers of the Keirin bikes are on par with the European and American artisans.
As R. Sachs indicates, the brands that we are most familiar - Fuji, Bridgestone, Nishiki, Panasonic, Miyata - to name a few are not comparable. They are products of coporate factories not individuals artisans.
I'm sure we don't know more about the Japanese artisans due to the language barriers. Its hard to learn and its hard to teach. Kudos to those who have succeeded-Dennis. Also, like American framemakers, they are small operations. It is difficult and expensive to adverstise their products (at home or abroad) and simultaneously produce the products in a timely manner.
I would not be surprised either that part of the reason we don't know more is because Japanese artisans don't need or want to tell us more. Cultural exchange results in cultural dilution. I think that is the big issue in Iraq.
Todd Teachout
Hercules, CA