In December of 2004, Tamiya completed a new tooling and manufacturing facility in the Philippines, and the completed items they've been offering in their Masterwork Collection are coming from there. It's clear that they've taught their workers everything they need to know, because this is a fantastic piece for the price they're asking. Vehicle is mounted on a display plate and finished in the markings of the JGSDF as they deployed to Iraq in early 2004. Die-cast lower chassis part adds weight and "feel" to what would otherwise be a very light model. Highly recommended.