While I seek excellence, I learned early while there is always room for improvement in what we do, there is not always time. Some employers do not seek perfection, and it really depends on the task at hand and the expectations. As in your example of the Japanese parts, it is important to know what is expected, and exceed it. Do your best within the constraints.

I remember, in my earliest work experiences, seeing a very quality focused chemist get fired because he was holding too high a standard and it was holding up production, and the buyers were ready to shop somewhere else. I also remember quitting my first job because the quality standard was so low that I was ashamed to put my hand to the task, and what you said is absolutely true. Just days after I left they were closed down by the health department and went out of business.