My Sears Kenmore was made by Janome 30 years ago. I used the needles that came with , without any problems. I buy Schmetz as a rule, but have purchased what was available in a pinch. No problems ever. (Even used the wrong size bobbin for first 28 years with no problem.)
All of that said, when I first started reading sewing forums 10 years ago as I wanted to start clothing sewing again, everyone kept talking about thread quality and how thread would break and shred. Sounded like a bunch of hooey to me as the only time in life I'd had that problem was when I'd bought the "10 spools for a $1" junk a couple of times. Then I tried to use some Gütermann I'd received in a Christmas gift pack. All of it shreds like crazy. Can't even use it for trial garments or hand basting - its nasty stuff.
So thread isn't all made the way it used to be and most likely neither are needles. I think Organ brand is a Japanese company which is typically a sign of quality. But I've noticed even some Japanese steel companies are outsourcing to China or elsewhere. Could even be that the Janome factory that made the OP's machine outsourced to China for their needles. They may have nothing to do with Organ at all.
I've never seen the need to use Janome brand needles. If Janome has sourced to a Chinese manufacturer it may no longer be using Organ - or - Organ may have set up a Chinese facility just to service Janome and other possible contracts. I wouldn't write off Organ needles from this one experience at all.
I know everyone knows what Walmart is. During Covid, I've had to buy cat food for my Mom's cat. She would only eat Fancy Feast Grilled Chicken - in tiny one serving portions. (My last two cats were the same). Walmart started selling only that flavor in a box of 12 at some point. They also sell the loose cans that come in a case pack like all other stores.
Mom mentioned her cat would become tired of the Grilled Chicken occasionally and refuse to eat it. I hate shopping at Walmart, especially during Covid, so at times I'd pay more for the cat food elsewhere and the cat would lap it up!
Finally, my parents insisted I go to Walmart for cat food because it was so cheap there. So I paid close attention. Yes the individual cans were 20 cents cheaper on average to other supermarkets. But then I compared pricing to the 12 can pack and the large pack was only 5 pennies cheaper than the 12 cans individually! So I bought some of both and I still had a can purchased elsewhere at their house.
I got back and opened 3 cans - one from the big box, one loose from Walmart one loose from another store. The two loose cans were identical. The "chicken" actually looked and smelled more like actual chicken in both loose cans. The large pack can was completely different, mushier in texture and an "off" odor. Also, from packaging, labeling, and date stamp font - a completely different manufacturer! So no more big packs for this cat!
Sorry this post is so long, but here's a truth that few people realize. Manufacturers measure costs - and therefore savings - in 1/1000 of a penny. Even on things like large restaurant equipment or office furniture. They want to know if a part for a $3000.00 item costs them $1.02 each or $1.0167 each. They keep up with that difference.
So everyday quality becomes more and more questionable on everything. As a result, as a consumer, it will become more and more important to educate ourselves on virtually every aspect of our lives - right down to where a sewing needle is made or where a tin of green beans are canned.
Just last week I bought a tin of Lima beans, expecting the attractive green color pictured on the can like has always occupied the contents of tinned Lima beans. (They are a light beige when purchased dried and a pretty green when frozen. Tinned, frozen and dried have 3 distinct flavor profiles - with tinned and frozen being similar.)
Most of the beans in the tin I bought were some icky shade of pale green or beige and the flavor reflected the poor coloring. Research online explained the various "grades" of lima beans that can be tinned - and the grade apparently is not required to be on the can!
I just wanted a quick simple side for dinner!
A bad batch a sewing needles is a pain. But now every tin of food I purchase may require research!
Oh, so irritating!