Metallurgy is always a factor, coupled with design. For many years, Honda used pistons made by "Art". They were cast pistons, cast and machined with extreme precision and of an alloy with less than 90% aluminum, along with a very high silicon content. This reduced the rate of expansion. Honda and Art also knew that the smaller the diameter, the lower the true expansion. They also ensured that each piston was exactly the same weight.
They chose hard chrome faced piston rings, often made of carbon steel instead of cast iron. Art moved the ring lands up on the piston for better heat transfer, along with a higher and offset piston pin to reduce skirt loading.
The result was an engine that did not burn oil, did not wear rapidly, did not experience excessive start up wear, and could take extensive high load, high RPM use without distress. They produced a "refined" product, due to the excellent heat transfer properties, low rates of expansion and hard chrome steel rings.
Now, apply that design excellence to every internal part, and the result is self evident. The Japanese really did build better "pedestrian" engines for a very long time.
Contrast that with Hyundai, who continues to have engine problems, despite the apparently identical designs. All is not what it seems.
