...Apart from the decal they are exactly the same!

As to rarity of JV Fenders as opposed to JV Squiers, I can't agree.

Squier was then no more and no less than the export brand of Fender Japan. Fender decals were applied for sale to the domestic Japanese market, and Squier decals for export.

Therefore, JV Fenders are relatively rare outside of Japan only, and the reason so few have made it outside of Japan is likely down to the high domestic prices.

And, the few JV Fenders I have seen sold outside Japan did not fetch as much as much as the desirable JV Squiers can.

This leads me to the conclusion that outside Japan, JV Fenders are not as desirable as the Squiers, because the Squiers have had far more discussion, and therefore theres greater awareness, whereas the 1980s MIJ Fenders seem to all get lumped together.

Aide toi et le ciel taidera (Aid thyself and heaven will aid thee)