Reflecting on my first road bike purchase (very entry level 73 Steyr Clubman), I don't remember if my LBS even sold any Japanese bikes. My impressionable young mind was drawn to the Lejunes on display there. I was still just "a kid' and could not afford a good bike. I could have benefited from a cycling mentor back then.
In 73 I was also quite interested in photography, and purchased a Fujica ST-801 SLR camera. IIRC most SLRs at that time were Japanese made and well regarded.
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I.C.