Does any supplier actually sell Gotoh hardware in Japan?

The Japanese distributor is Hosco, but the minimum order is quite large. They prefer to deal in factory quantities. For small orders, probably better to go to one of the usual large retailers. However, those large retailers only cover a small part of the Gotoh range.

I notice most factories in Asia only deals with distributors or have very large minimum orders. It really makes it hard to get stuff that are made in Taiwan but yet aren't sold here for whatever reason (like the Parrot vise for example)

I'd be calling that a business opportunity for you, Tai. Like this mob, you start in a garage...

I think one of the biggest reason many of the Taiwanese products are not sold here is because there are no market for it, or the market is too small. Despite the 23 million people

Similar sized home market as Australia, only less of a geographic challenge. But these days, the whole world is your market. Just have to choose stuff that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to ship. "Taiwan Direct". There's your business name for free! (Probably gone already...)

High quality tradesman/craftsman/artisan is what is missing in Taiwan.

Ahh, then you're on the right track already.

When you're dealing with a factory, they make your product after you order it. It's not like a store where they have inventory laying around.