Been chasing a thrust washer for the idler gear - all the usual suspects are NLA. Googled the part number and came up with all the leads that had proven dead ends. However there was a Japanese site and in desperation I opened it. Couldn't understand a word even BableFish got lost in the translation
but the picture was right and the part number attached to it.
Years ago we were host parents to a Japanese exchange student that we keep in contact with - I emailed her - she checked it out - The company doesn't send goods overseas
but I gave her my credit card details and it's on its way to her place 
I'll get it in due course 