Japan has always made the best woodworking saws, chisels, planes, swords. Mitutoyo has been one of the leaders in the world for making ultra high precision machinist measuring tools. SKF bearings(as well as other Japanese companies) replaced the US as the top ball/roller manufacturers in the world. When we purchase high speed bearings for machines they referred to as Japanese bearings. This all happened after the 1970's.

Did your Honda or Toyota rust away in the 1980's?

Unfortunately the States are ruining their own manufacturing quality to compete with Asia. They should stick to high quality products only like Germany, whose manufacturing numbers will amaze you since they are socialized/unionized with a much higher pay scale than the US.