Hmmm.... seem like I have to get my self a Nautica.
Apropos to the initial post:
I tried to regain my position by moving towards them - while filming them with my cam. They then realized it was a film camera but one they have never seen before so at first so they were totally tarotfied shouting "no massa - not the "Dome Day Machine". However, I tried to settle with them offering some clips from my film if they wanted an insert with S8 "look" since I used the Fuji F500T film. However - they were totally lame-struck, unable to settle and finally my time ran out so I had to withdraw from my position. Amateurs!
Regarding japan vs 35mm cams.
I believe that the demand for new professional 35mm cams are/were relatively small - when serviced they lasts "forever" so I do not think this buzz has ever attracted japanese companies to ever look into it. Also the technologogical progress 35/16mm is very slow and not very advanced - very different from many S8 cams.
When it comes to commie systems they were always "proud" to be self-supplied by everything - it was a political issue. Thus the Soviet/East German/Chinese+++ "homebrews" I guess. Big quality variations generally. Funded by the "5 year plan" government "money pump".
However - sometimes the simple, reliable, well and tried is the best.
Look at the Sojuz rockets reliably pumping goods and nauts forth and back from the space station.
R