Its the most strat you'll get for your money.
Japanese strats are just as good as any american strat
nowadays. A few years ago the japanese started
to shape up, and now they're really good guitar-builders.
I have a '98 Fat strat signature (HSS) and its
wonderful, better than any american strat.
I wouldnt recommend a mexican standard because,
quite simply, I think they're awful. But thats just me..
So:
american = good but overpriced
mexican = cheap but not so good
japanese = reasonable price, good guitar