Japanese Knitting machines refers to machines that are not Passap or Superba. My understanding is they were manufactured in Japan and marketed around the world under different brand names. (Singer/Silver/Studio, Brother, Knit King, etc)

The Japanese machines are are the machines that are most commonly used by home machine knitters. They have a separate ribber that was sold as an accessory. Where Passap and Superba machines are "true" double bed machines.

Course / Classroom:
Classroom: Knitting Machines