...for Joe and ddd, the local bike co-op is selling a PDG Paramount, early 90's I think, in either a 55 or 56 frame size.

Definitely Japanese, made of an OS Tange tubeset. It's up on CL, but these don't really command much attention for some reason.
I have a different year in my size, and I, too, find it to be a pretty nice riding bike.