{"id":5058,"date":"2017-05-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/https-swiftotterincubator-wpcomstaging-com-videosview-we-went-to-japan\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","slug":"we-went-to-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"We Went to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"position:relative;padding-top:56.25%\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/iframe.mediadelivery.net\/embed\/330784\/92d71732-2fe1-4420-8434-13da012ab52f?autoplay=false&#038;loop=false&#038;muted=false&#038;preload=true&#038;responsive=true\" style=\"border:0;position:absolute;top:0;height:100%;width:100%\" allow=\"accelerometer;gyroscope;autoplay;encrypted-media;picture-in-picture;\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/div><p>Whether you&#8217;re glassing elk in Colorado&#8217;s high country or tracking whitetails in Alabama&#8217;s river bottoms, the quality of your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-properly-mount-a-rifle-scope\/\">optics<\/a> can make or break your hunt. But here&#8217;s a question that comes up constantly: where are the optics you&#8217;re trusting with your once-in-a-lifetime shot actually manufactured?<\/p><p>Let&#8217;s break down why <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/welcome-to-tract-optics\/\">TRACT Optics<\/a> made the strategic decision to manufacture our flagship TORIC products in Japan\u2014and why this matters more than you might think for your next <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/long-range-shooting-etiquette\/\">hunting<\/a> adventure.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Why_Japanese_Manufacturing_Sets_TORIC_Apart\" >Why Japanese Manufacturing Sets TORIC Apart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#The_ED_Lens_Advantage_What_It_Means_in_the_Field\" >The ED Lens Advantage: What It Means in the Field<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#SCHOTT_HT_Glass_The_German-Japanese_Connection\" >SCHOTT HT Glass: The German-Japanese Connection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Who_Benefits_Most_from_Japanese-Manufactured_Optics\" >Who Benefits Most from Japanese-Manufactured Optics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Direct-to-Consumer_Value_with_Japanese_Quality\" >Direct-to-Consumer Value with Japanese Quality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Why_does_TRACT_manufacture_their_optics_in_Japan_instead_of_the_USA\" >Why does TRACT manufacture their optics in Japan instead of the USA?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#What_advantage_do_ED_lenses_provide_for_hunters\" >What advantage do ED lenses provide for hunters?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#How_does_Japanese_manufacturing_compare_to_other_countries_for_optics\" >How does Japanese manufacturing compare to other countries for optics?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#What_is_SCHOTT_HT_glass_and_why_does_it_matter\" >What is SCHOTT HT glass and why does it matter?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/we-went-to-japan\/#Do_Japanese-manufactured_TORIC_products_cost_more_than_other_brands\" >Do Japanese-manufactured TORIC products cost more than other brands?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Japanese_Manufacturing_Sets_TORIC_Apart\"><\/span>Why Japanese Manufacturing Sets TORIC Apart<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>When TRACT launched, we faced the same choice every optics company confronts: where to manufacture our products. While many companies focus their marketing on &#8220;Made in USA&#8221; or &#8220;Assembled in USA&#8221; claims, here&#8217;s the truth\u2014virtually every sport optics company sources their critical lens elements from either Asia or Europe.<\/p><p>We chose Japan because they house some of the world&#8217;s finest optical subcontractors. Whether you&#8217;re talking about SCHOTT HT (High Transmission) glass or advanced ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens technology, Japanese manufacturers consistently deliver the precision and quality that serious hunters demand.<\/p><p>That&#8217;s because Japanese optical manufacturing combines centuries-old craftsmanship traditions with cutting-edge technology. The same attention to detail that goes into Japanese camera lenses\u2014think Canon, Nikon, and Sony\u2014flows directly into our <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-binoculars-for-hunting\/\">TORIC binoculars<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/scope-sighting-made-simple\/\">rifle scopes<\/a>.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_ED_Lens_Advantage_What_It_Means_in_the_Field\"><\/span>The ED Lens Advantage: What It Means in the Field<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Let&#8217;s talk about ED lenses, because this technology is where Japanese manufacturing really shines. ED glass uses special fluorite elements that virtually eliminate chromatic aberration\u2014that annoying color fringing you sometimes see around high-contrast edges.<\/p><p>When you&#8217;re glassing at first light or last light (when most game moves), ED lenses deliver several critical advantages:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Sharper contrast<\/strong> between your target and background vegetation<\/li><li><strong>True color reproduction<\/strong> that helps you distinguish between a deer&#8217;s antlers and dead branches<\/li><li><strong>Reduced eye strain<\/strong> during extended glassing sessions<\/li><li><strong>Better resolution<\/strong> at maximum magnification ranges<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>PRO TIP:<\/strong> The difference between standard glass and ED glass becomes most noticeable during low-light conditions\u2014exactly when you need your optics to perform flawlessly.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SCHOTT_HT_Glass_The_German-Japanese_Connection\"><\/span>SCHOTT HT Glass: The German-Japanese Connection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Our TORIC products feature SCHOTT HT glass, sourced from Germany but precision-crafted into lens systems in Japan. This combination gives you the best of both worlds: SCHOTT&#8217;s legendary glass formulations with Japanese manufacturing precision.<\/p><p>SCHOTT HT glass delivers up to 92% light transmission, meaning more of the available light reaches your eye. When you&#8217;re hunting in thick timber or glassing into shadowed canyons, that extra light transmission can reveal game that other optics simply can&#8217;t show you.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Benefits_Most_from_Japanese-Manufactured_Optics\"><\/span>Who Benefits Most from Japanese-Manufactured Optics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>While quality matters for every hunter, Japanese-manufactured TORIC products particularly excel for:<\/p><p><strong>Western Hunters:<\/strong> Long-range glassing in variable lighting conditions demands the best optical performance. Whether you&#8217;re spotting mule deer at 1,000 yards or identifying legal rams on distant ridges, Japanese precision manufacturing ensures your optics perform when it matters most.<\/p><p><strong>Whitetail Bowhunters:<\/strong> Close-range accuracy requires perfect clarity and true color reproduction. Japanese-manufactured glass helps you distinguish between a shooter buck and a young deer in low-light conditions.<\/p><p><strong>Serious Trophy Hunters:<\/strong> When you&#8217;re investing thousands in a hunt, your optics investment should match that commitment. Japanese manufacturing quality ensures your equipment won&#8217;t fail during crucial moments.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Direct-to-Consumer_Value_with_Japanese_Quality\"><\/span>Direct-to-Consumer Value with Japanese Quality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Here&#8217;s where TRACT&#8217;s business model really shines. By selling direct-to-consumer, we eliminate distributor markups and retail margins. This means you get Japanese manufacturing quality at prices typically associated with lower-tier products.<\/p><p>Notice something? Other companies charging similar prices for &#8220;assembled in USA&#8221; products are often using the same Asian lens elements\u2014they&#8217;re just adding assembly costs and retail markups. TRACT&#8217;s approach gives you more optical performance for your investment.<\/p><p><strong>Final Thought:<\/strong> Manufacturing location matters, but what matters more is honest communication about where your critical components originate. TRACT&#8217;s Japanese-manufactured TORIC products combine world-class lens technology with direct-to-consumer value, giving you the optical performance your hunting success demands. Let&#8217;s make every shot count.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_TRACT_manufacture_their_optics_in_Japan_instead_of_the_USA\"><\/span>Why does TRACT manufacture their optics in Japan instead of the USA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>TRACT chose Japan because they house some of the world&#8217;s finest optical subcontractors, specializing in advanced technologies like SCHOTT HT glass and ED lenses. While many companies claim USA assembly, virtually all sport optics companies source critical lens elements from Asia or Europe anyway.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_advantage_do_ED_lenses_provide_for_hunters\"><\/span>What advantage do ED lenses provide for hunters?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, providing sharper contrast, true color reproduction, reduced eye strain, and better resolution\u2014especially critical during low-light hunting conditions when most game is active.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_Japanese_manufacturing_compare_to_other_countries_for_optics\"><\/span>How does Japanese manufacturing compare to other countries for optics?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Japanese optical manufacturing combines centuries-old craftsmanship traditions with cutting-edge technology. The same precision that goes into world-renowned camera lenses flows into hunting optics, delivering consistent quality and performance.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_SCHOTT_HT_glass_and_why_does_it_matter\"><\/span>What is SCHOTT HT glass and why does it matter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>SCHOTT HT (High Transmission) glass is German-formulated glass that delivers up to 92% light transmission. This means more available light reaches your eye, which is crucial for hunting in thick timber or shadowed areas where game often hides.<\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Japanese-manufactured_TORIC_products_cost_more_than_other_brands\"><\/span>Do Japanese-manufactured TORIC products cost more than other brands?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p>Actually, TRACT&#8217;s direct-to-consumer model eliminates distributor markups and retail margins, allowing Japanese manufacturing quality at prices typically associated with lower-tier products. You get more optical performance for your investment.<\/p><p>{  &#8220;@context&#8221;: &#8220;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,  &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;FAQPage&#8221;,  &#8220;mainEntity&#8221;: [    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;Why does TRACT manufacture their optics in Japan instead of the USA?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;TRACT chose Japan because they house some of the world&#8217;s finest optical subcontractors, specializing in advanced technologies like SCHOTT HT glass and ED lenses. While many companies claim USA assembly, virtually all sport optics companies source critical lens elements from Asia or Europe anyway.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;What advantage do ED lenses provide for hunters?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, providing sharper contrast, true color reproduction, reduced eye strain, and better resolutionu2014especially critical during low-light hunting conditions when most game is active.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;How does Japanese manufacturing compare to other countries for optics?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;Japanese optical manufacturing combines centuries-old craftsmanship traditions with cutting-edge technology. The same precision that goes into world-renowned camera lenses flows into hunting optics, delivering consistent quality and performance.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;What is SCHOTT HT glass and why does it matter?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;SCHOTT HT (High Transmission) glass is German-formulated glass that delivers up to 92% light transmission. This means more available light reaches your eye, which is crucial for hunting in thick timber or shadowed areas where game often hides.&#8221;      }    },    {      &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Question&#8221;,      &#8220;name&#8221;: &#8220;Do Japanese-manufactured TORIC products cost more than other brands?&#8221;,      &#8220;acceptedAnswer&#8221;: {        &#8220;@type&#8221;: &#8220;Answer&#8221;,        &#8220;text&#8221;: &#8220;Actually, TRACT&#8217;s direct-to-consumer model eliminates distributor markups and retail margins, allowing Japanese manufacturing quality at prices typically associated with lower-tier products. You get more optical performance for your investment.&#8221;      }    }  ]}<\/p><p><strong>Let&#8217;s make every shot count.<\/strong><\/p><p>Have questions? We&#8217;re here to help:<\/p><ul><li>\ud83d\udcde Call: <a href=\"tel:631-662-7354\">631-662-7354<\/a><\/li><li>\ud83d\udce7 Email: <a href=\"mailto:support@tractoptics.com\">support@tractoptics.com<\/a><\/li><li>\ud83d\udcac Live Chat available on <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tractoptics.com<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trustpilot.com\/review\/tractoptics.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2b50 See what our customers say on Trustpilot<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TRACT Optics chose Japanese manufacturing for their flagship TORIC products to deliver world-class ED lens technology and SCHOTT HT glass. This strategic decision ensures hunters get superior optical performance with the precision and quality that Japanese craftsmanship provides.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12254,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2252,2266,2274],"tags":[2610,4328,4326,3101,4086,4327,4095,3304,4329],"class_list":["post-5058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-binoculars","category-riflescopes","category-video","tag-ed-lens-technology","tag-hunting-optics-manufacturing","tag-japanese-optical-quality","tag-schott-ht-glass","tag-toric","tag-toric-optics","tag-tract","tag-tract-optics","tag-we-went-to-japan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5058"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12587,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5058\/revisions\/12587"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}