...It's speculated that when Panasonic purchased Sanyo, they only acquired the Eneloop brand and the Japanese factory that produces Eneloops was sold off to a third party to ensure that there weren't any anti-trust issues...<snip>
I would say that the greater part of this statement is not speculation. It is based on credible newspaper articles which pointed out the significant anti-trust issues that prevented Panasonic from "cornering the market" on Ni-MH cells. (The market has changed significantly since then, so I doubt they would have such a huge share any more.)
Actually, the "Eneloop" technology has a rather "complex pedigree." Toshiba originally owned the research center and production facility in Takasaki City, but it was later sold to Sanyo. (It is not clear just how much of the "break-through" technology originally came from Toshiba, and how much was subsequently developed by Sanyo.) Then, at the time of the Sanyo/Panasonic "merger" this particular battery production facility was sold to Fujitsu and the resulting company renamed
"FDK TWICELL Co.,LTD." (To my understanding, Panasonic never actually owned this plant.)
So everything above is relatively clear, and easily determined by examining records of corporate filings. What we don't know is just what kind of agreement FDK reached with Panasonic, where Panasonic is obviously marketing the Eneloop cells that were once manufactured by Sanyo. FDK is extremely close-mouthed about this. Despite some public statements being made by distributors selling the Fujitsu brand cells manufactured by FDK (to the effect that the Fujitsu cells are "the same as Eneloops" and "made in the same plant"); FDK has consistently refused to make any public statements about whether or not they currently manufacturer Eneloop cells, and whether or not their Fujitsu cells are "the same as Eneloops." (It seems fairly obvious that they are bound by a rather stringent non-disclosure agreement.)
Based on information published on the Japanese internet (showing that tiny --almost microscopic-- imperfections that can be found on both the Fujitsu cells and Eneloop cells, indicate that they are being manufactured on the same production line), and based on
HJK's comparison testing; it seems clear to me that FDK is the only source of the Japanese made Eneloop cells that are currently being sold in Japan.
However, it is still very unclear me as to whether or not Panasonic may actually "own" the technology (or have full rights to it, based on some kind of licensing agreement). If they have rights to the technology, and are not prohibited from doing so, they could at anytime establish their own Eneloop manufacturing plant in Japan. So, depending on their rights (which would likely be exceedingly difficult to ascertain), being made in Japan may not necessarily be proof that you are getting "The real McCoy" or cells that are identical to the original (or later generations of) Sanyo Eneloop cells.
More troubling is the fact that, whether or not they own rights to the technology, Panasonic clearly owns the Eneloop name. So, Panasonic is free to change specifications and production methods as they wish, and still call the final product an "Eneloop."
Those of us who want the best, and appreciate the difference, owe
Power Me Up a debt of gratitude for his extensive testing of Eneloop cells, since his efforts seem to demonstrate rather clearly that we should steer clear of Chinese made Eneloops, if possible.
