i bought my 500d in salam and it's made in japan. but my canon lenses (the kit lens that came with it and the walkaround lens i bought in the manila gray market) are made in taiwan. my flash is made in china.

i'm not sure if they have the same manufacturing strategy everywhere in the world, but a sales clerk in a mall back home said specific product lines are made in canon factories worldwide. like the lower end powershot p&s line would be made in malaysia, while the higher end powershot line model something something and above, plus all ixus models are made in japan. or vice versa, i don't really remember. maybe all dslr bodies are made in japan and the taiwan factory does the lenses?

but i understand your concern. if it's made in japan, it gives the impression that it is of better manufacturing quality.