Fascinating!
I’ve never seen them side by side.
IMO, the stop-gap rifles from late in war and widespread racism of pre and post war world (usually mis information ignorantly repeated) resulted in disparaging discussion of all things Japanese.
A friend had a demilled Arisaka that I was able to handle a bit. His dad acquired it post war as he was shot and wounded by one on Okinawa circa 1945. Actually, his M1 magazine was hit and debris was deposited in his opposite shoulder.
He called it his “million dollar wound”. It took him out of action for duration of war. He actually had a profound respect for the Japanese Marines he was opposed by. He noted that unlike stereotypes, they were over 6’ tall, and highly skilled soldiers (he was a U.S. marine...)
I was always positively impressed by the Arisaka. Though it had a hole drilled in the chamber and barrel welded, it had an intact Mum. Today it would be a good candidate for restoration. His dad demonstrated once the proper operation of the striker cap safety. In actual use, it was quite effective and purposeful. Kinda a slap and twist of the wrist...
His Dad later became a dentist and was the most colorful of all my friends dads. His brother (friends uncle) was a fighter pilot during WWII. He told the best war stories I ever witnessed. Especially about the time he was out numbered in a running dog-fight. He was flying a P-51, surrounded by “Fokkers”.... someone would say, Frank, weren’t you in WWII? He would chime back... didn’t I mention those fokkers were flying Messersmitts!!!... (ME109’s).