this might be true in the 1980s.... but there has been a major shift even in japan facing the Chinese competition.
China still does not make "the best stuff". Everything made in China is carcinogenic and breaks 2 months into warranty. At least 40 years of this shit now.
You are too young to remember that in post WW II, in the 50s and 60s, all the cheap knockoffs were made in Japan. Edward Deming our quality guru taught Japan how to build quality products.