FMIC is quite parochial about protected sales territories and only very specific and limited numbers of Fender-Japan products are lawfully available in the United States. While many MIJ/CIJ Fenders do ultimately find their way here, their presence in this country generally constitutes a "gray market" -- thus, the warranty for a Fender-Japan product will never be honored by a US dealer unless that model was officially sanctioned by FMIC for sale in America.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Basically the quality and very cool selection of the Fender Japan instruments pretty much ensures that they aren't alowed into the US market in large numbers.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"