Technics moving all turntable production to Malaysia


I haven’t seen this reported anywhere. Heard it first from a dealer and now have confirmed it with Technics directly:

All turntables, even the SL-1000R, are leaving Japan and moving to a new facility in Malaysia. Everything’s going under one roof. Technics is halted now and they’ll start up the new production line in Malaysia on April 1. 

If the product is the same then that’s what matters most, but this definitely marks the end of an era and I’m sure the reaction will be mixed.
notman
@lewm 

I was born in '51. The "made in Japan" joke stayed around to the early 70's when Toyota & Honda started being imported, IME. Then too, much of Europe  was destroyed and of course 2, big cities in Japan also. Plus their economies were ruined.  They often didn't have the right tools or materials for quality IMO. But craftsmen are in every society. The difference usually comes down to the item they produce and how similar the product you ask them to produce is in their "wheelhouse". There is usually a learning curve.

Japanese might be losing their way and become like anybody else. Now that's bad, if I am right, regardless of whether or not you like who they are, as you perceive it. 
I wouldn't want made in the US Rolex either.