The 70s Washburns were made in Japan. Probably anything from Japan before then was poor quality. By the 70s was when Japan came into its own. Washburns are made in China today and they're not too bad--I own one. My Gretsch archtop was made in Japan and that is a high quality guitar. My Takamine is actually made in Korea.

My drums, synth and much of my sound equipment is Japanese also.