A minor but perhaps salient point darok. If you re-examine, you'll discover that contemporary O.S. Engines (eg: LA , AX) in fact no longer bear the phrase "Made in Japan" on their crankcase (eg: FX). It has since been replaced instead by the single word "Japan". Now there's enough room for the phrase to still be put there, so why? Mere innocent restyling ...or of another significance? ie: Implied O.S. Engines of Japan (Co) much liike JR (Japanese Radio) & Futaba though they're largely manufactured elsewhere. Not sure about the manuals without cross-checking (can't be bothred right now).

I can report a hearsay reliably stronger than either conjecture or rumour stating with certainty that O.S. are now manufacturing product in China, but can't provide anything which might prove it. Regardless, I have a Nikon camera manufactured in PRC fitted with a Japanese made Nikon lens which is indistinguishable otherwise in every respect from the original Made in Japan previous model. If the technical knowedge, machinery, manufacturing & quality control are replicated, why not?