noglider 

I just found this page, which is pretty cool.

List of Japanese bicycle brands and manufacturers

over1

The late Sheldon Brown has a list, too, but, like most lists, few are comprehensive, and, like other domestic limited-production custom-builders, there's those that Japanese-born/trained, also.

noglider 

That page has incomplete, out of date, and incorrect information.

that_guy_zach

No Sekai's on that page

wrk101

Easiest to judge the more obscure brands by the quality of frame materials and components. Many of the Japanese brands are pretty interchangeable IMHO, particularly at the mid grade or lower level.

noglider 

Yes, and the quality levels are pretty similar for bikes after about 1977.

I like the page on Panasonic. Makes me so nostalgic. I sold Panasonics in 1978 and 1979, in Manhattan. People would come in and say, "Panasonic BICYCLES?" Now I've just read that they started out making bike lights, then bikes, and consumer electronics much later.

The Panaracer web page states proudly that they are the last company still making tires in Japan. And lovely tires they are. I also love IRC and Mitsuboshi tires, which were also made in Japan.

urodacus

they still make good glue, too.

and I added a few names to the Japan bikes wiki page

noglider 

Thank you!