I dont think they are the same 

We are Varivas agent in NZ and I am a personal friend to JM boss Pony
Varivas doesnt OEM for JM and I know which company makes lines for JM (it is from a good Japanese company but not varivas). so say no more

Still haven't convinced me, not that I really give a hoot. Varivas probably don't actually manufacture mono themselves, rather braid and whatnot, and probably get it from the same manufacture as JM. Happens alot in East Asia as there are alot of products out there that are the same but with different labels. Neither Varivas nor JM probably realise this themselves, because they don't OEM. I don't actually know, just guessing. But any way whatever, I don't think anyone really cares, as long as they have got some nice casting line as they are both really nice line. Just some people love to talk some items up and are label bashers for a reason. Oh and I'm personal friends with Billy Hohepa, just thought I would throw that incase someone was impressed.