I posted a response as well, now it's gone?
AS for Japanese charging to much for tackle - why shouldn't they? They can afford it, and they do have much better products than what they send to us over here. Speaking specifically about Shimano and Fuji, as well as Diawa.
Do you know they do not use HArdaloy guides there, only SIC. And there are a LOT of factory rods with Titanium SIC. Alconite, is only made for the US market, the don't sell those over there either.
Reels - when a reel first comes out there, it has all top quality materials - specifically bearings. 3-4 years later, when the reels are finally available here, they put cheaper bearings in them.
Take a look at some of their competiton Spinning reels, as well as teh 3 or 4 versions of the Stella they have.
http://www.profishing.net/miva/merch...&Store_Code=PN
http://www.japantackle.com/
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