What "JDM" and "USDM" mean here
JDM (Japanese domestic market) means a reel as listed on the maker's Japanese site, with Japanese size codes, product codes and JAN barcodes. USDM means the model as listed on the maker's US site (Shimano North America, Daiwa USA). The series name is often shared, but the size range, size codes and some specifications are not always the same.
1. The size you want may not exist in the US range
In the tables we checked, none of the three US ranges lists a plain 2500S:
- Shimano Japan lists a 23 Vanquish 2500S (5.1:1). Shimano North America's VANQUISH C table lists VQ2500SHGC (5.8:1) as its 2500-size model and no 2500S.
- Shimano Japan lists a Twin Power 2500S. Shimano North America's TWINPOWER FE table lists TP2500FE, without the "S", and its listed drag and line capacity are different (see the table below).
- Daiwa Japan lists the 22 Exist LT2500S, LT2500S-H, LT2500S-XH and others. Daiwa USA's EXIST table lists EXIGLT2500-XH and EXIGLT2500D-PCH as its 2500 sizes.
If you want a specific JDM size, such as a 5.1:1 2500S, the Japanese version may be the only one the maker lists.
2. Side by side: JDM size vs closest US size
Shimano 23 Vanquish 2500SHG (JDM) vs Shimano VQ2500SHGC (USDM)
| Spec | JDM: 2500SHG Japan table | USDM: VQ2500SHGC US table |
|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 5.8:1 | 5.8:1 |
| Weight | 165 g (≈ 5.8 oz) | 5.8 oz |
| Max drag | 4 kg (≈ 8.8 lb) | 9 lb |
| Retrieve per crank | 86 cm (≈ 33.9 in) | 34 in |
| Braid / PE capacity | PE 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 (gō-m) | 5-140, 8-120, 10-85 (PowerPro lb-yd) |
| Mono capacity | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 (lb-m) | 4-115, 6-75, 8-55 (lb-yd) |
| Bearings | 11/1 | 11/1 |
What this shows: Same size code (2500SHG) as a JDM 23 Vanquish size. After unit conversion the listed gear ratio, weight, drag and retrieve line up with the JDM 2500SHG. Shimano does not list a 2500S (5.1:1) in the US Vanquish table.
Shimano Twin Power 2500S (JDM) vs Shimano TP2500FE (USDM)
| Spec | JDM: 2500S Japan table | USDM: TP2500FE US table |
|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 5.1:1 | 5.1:1 |
| Weight | 210 g (≈ 7.4 oz) | 7.4 oz |
| Max drag | 4 kg (≈ 8.8 lb) | 20 lb |
| Retrieve per crank | 75 cm (≈ 29.5 in) | 30 in |
| Braid / PE capacity | PE 0.6-200, 0.8-150, 1-120 (gō-m) | 10-150, 15-145, 30-100 (PowerPro lb-yd) |
| Mono capacity | 5-110, 6-95, 8-70 (lb-m) | 8-140, 10-120 (lb-yd) |
| Bearings | 9/1 | 9/1 |
What this shows: Closest US size by name, but not the same specification: the US table lists 20 lb max drag and heavier line capacities, while the JDM 2500S lists 4 kg (about 8.8 lb) max drag. The US Twinpower FE table has no 2500S.
Daiwa 22 Exist LT2500S-XH (JDM) vs Daiwa EXIGLT2500-XH (USDM)
| Spec | JDM: LT2500S-XH Japan table | USDM: EXIGLT2500-XH US table |
|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 6.2:1 | 6.2:1 |
| Weight | 160 g (≈ 5.6 oz) | 5.6 oz |
| Max drag | 5 kg (≈ 11.0 lb) | 11 lb |
| Retrieve per crank | 87 cm (≈ 34.3 in) | 34.5 in |
| Braid / PE capacity | PE 0.6-200 (gō-m) | 8/200, 10/170 (J-Braid lb/yd) |
| Mono capacity | 4-150 (lb-m) | 6/160, 8/110 (lb/yd) |
| Bearings | 12/1 | 10CRBB, 2MSBB, 1RB |
What this shows: Gear ratio (6.2), max drag and weight are close to the JDM LT2500S-XH, but the US code has no "S" and Daiwa USA lists heavier line capacities, so treat the spool as a different specification. Daiwa USA does not list an LT2500S.
Values in brackets are our unit conversions of the Japanese figures. Manufacturer figures are shown without brackets.
3. Units and how specs are written
| Item | Japanese tables | US tables |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | grams (g) | ounces (oz) |
| Drag | kilograms (kg); Shimano also gives a "practical drag" figure | pounds (lb), max drag only |
| Retrieve | cm per handle turn | inches per crank |
| Braid capacity | PE in gō (号) × metres | lb test × yards, tied to a named braid (PowerPro on Shimano US, J-Braid on Daiwa US) |
| Mono capacity | Shimano: gō, lb and mm × metres; Daiwa: lb × metres | lb × yards |
| Bearings | ball / roller, e.g. 12/1 | Shimano: e.g. 11/1. Daiwa USA lists bearing types, e.g. "10CRBB, 2MSBB, 1RB" (10 + 2 ball, 1 roller, matching Japan's 12/1) |
| Codes | Product code (e.g. Shimano 045270) and 13-digit JAN | SKU (e.g. VQ2500SHGC, EXIGLT2500-XH) |
PE line in Japan is rated in gō (号), a thickness-based number. Breaking strength in lb for the same gō varies between line brands, so we do not convert gō to lb.
4. Model names and generations
Japanese names usually carry the model year as a prefix: Daiwa's table names the reel "22 EXIST LT2500S", and Shimano's Vanquish site refers to "23 Vanquish". The US pages we checked use a suffix on the series or SKU instead (VANQUISH C, TWINPOWER FE, EXIGLT…). When you search a retailer or ask for spare parts, use the full Japanese name with the year and the product code or JAN.
5. Checklist before importing a JDM reel
- Confirm the exact size code (2500S vs C2500S vs 2500SHG) on the maker's Japanese spec table.
- Note the product code and JAN so you can match the listing and order parts later.
- Check officially listed parts types (Yumeya types for Shimano, SLP Works compatibility for Daiwa). Do not rely on "looks the same size".
- Ask the manufacturer in your country about warranty and service for a reel bought in Japan. We have not confirmed each maker's policy, so we do not state one here.
- Check total cost, shipping and import charges on the retailer's own site. We do not show prices.
See the full 2500S-class comparison →
Sources
- Shimano Japan product page and spec table (ヴァンキッシュ) (checked 2026-10-05)
- Shimano Japan 23 Vanquish feature site (checked 2026-10-05)
- Shimano North America: VANQUISH C spec table (checked 2026-10-05)
- Shimano Japan product page and spec table (ツインパワー) (checked 2026-10-05)
- Shimano North America: TWINPOWER FE spec table (checked 2026-10-05)
- Daiwa Japan product page and spec table (EXIST) (checked 2026-10-05)
- SLP Works: SLPW EX LT Spool 2 (checked 2026-10-05)
- Daiwa USA: EXIST spec table (checked 2026-10-05)