I have several Okuma (Fina and Epixor) that I couldn't be more pleased with. I also have several Calcutta's and have fished with Shimanos for 20 years. They are made in Japan, and very high quality. The Okumas are smooth as silk and for the money quite a good deal. Made in China for the most part anymore means an American company that has their stuff built in China to avoid taxes and expensive labor. The goods though are built under the same QA that they would be if built in this country. Have to say that I believe that Asians tend to have more pride in their work than a lot of American workers. I believe that is why Japan is so well known for their fine quality of everything any more......

Buy the Okumas and you wont be disapointed, but I would by the upper-end of their product line.... Gotta love the solid anti-reverse of their reels and the 5 to 7 ballbearings make for VERY smooth retrieves! Cannot speak for the rod's though, as I have never purchased those.

MC