As many others have stated, the item you receive may well be made in Taiwan, not Japan. While I have no problem withTaiwan-made products, I do have a problem with explicitly deceitful product descriptions and images. My particular order was sold by UJC Mart Japan. I would not recommend them.When I received my not-made-in-Japan item from Amazon, I decided to order a made-in-Japan item from not-Amazon and compare the two.I've seen red-handled variants, I'm not sure if there are other differences, both of mine are decidedly orange-handled.The TLDR is: They're both fine. If you're like me, you're not happy when what you receive doesn't match what you were promised, and if you're like me the sheer principal of that is enough to send it back and look elsewhere. But if you received this one and do not wish to return it, or if you find a pair marketed as Taiwan-made, they will serve you well.In attached pictures, the Japan-made pair are always on the right, and each picture contains either the stamp on the handle or the packaging stating country of manufacture next to the respective tool. I've tried to keep the lighting as even and consistent as I could, but it is just a sigle-point lamp and taken with a several-years-old phone. The Taiwan-made pair is just a bit glossier, which I think comes through in the images.For all comparisons below, keep in mind this is a sample size of one for each version. Measurements were made with a Mitutoyo micrometer (made in Japan just for the symbolism) and measured as consistently as possible, but the stamped steel construction combined with some kind of paint/coating leads to some inevitable variability. I really only use the 1.9mm size for 2.54mm dupont connectors and the occasional JST 2.54mm connector. I've grouped them by my subjective opinion of the effect it had on my opinion of them.Properties that are the same, similar enough to be insignificant or the effect depends on the specific connector: - The handle shape and material are absolutely indistinguishable. I'm convinced they come from the same factory. The minute details, the color, the printing, everything is and exact match. Both are a cushioned elastomer and are subjectively pleasant to hold and use. While they are both new I fully expect them to hold up over time. - The machining of the Japan-made pair is marginally cleaner, with the Taiwan-made pair having some tool marks left from manufacturing, but very slight and not of concern. - The coating on both scrapes off of the actual crimping area of the tool leaving bare metal. Not of any real concern, but it appears to be the same coating material. - The width of the jaws are slightly wider on the Taiwan-made pair with 3.26mm for the base material, and 2.10mm and 1.80mm for the crimp areas. The Japan-made pair have 3.24mm base material and 2.02mm and 1.74mm crimping areas. Neither have had an effect on the connectors I've used, however the Japan-made pair is closer to the specifications on the packaging (both have the same printed specs). - The pivot of both are adjustable using threaded fasteners rather than rivets. - The pivot of both have had a small amount of lubricant applied and operate smoothly.Point Taiwan: - The spring on the Taiwan-made pair is a bit stiffer. While neither are overly stiff nor weak, the extra tension is beneficial in a tool that has to be held open while loading. (I don't think the spring is actually stiffer, it's just farther from the pivot giving it more leverage).Point Japan: - The lock is significantly more usable on the Japan-made pair. The resistance of the Japan-made pair is adjustable with a screw while the Taiwan-made pair is fixed with a rivet. The Taiwan-made pair is quite difficult to lock/unlock one-handed. This is due in part to the resistance from the rivet (which may loosen over time, becoming more usable), but also the design/shape of the mechanism itself.Conclusion: Either will result in a satisfying crimp. If blindfolded, while I would be equally unable to complete a successful crimp with either, it would be challenging to tell which I was fumbling blindly with.