If we're open to broadening the tents being considered rather than narrowing to a choice between bargain tent and the better tent, I'll recommend a look at TarpTent's stuff.

I like my TarpTent Rainshadow 2. It's worked well with two adults in a storm, just me, and with up to 3 kids plus me (that was a little tight). Mostly used on the AT in the mid-Atlantic states. It did Ok out here in Bahrain the one time I got to use it (it was hard to set up in exposed windy conditions without help - but I think that's any tent) and I'll see how it does in Japan.

I'm in the market for a new one, and am looking at their two person designs (the MoTrail and Saddle 2 are the lead contenders right now) but I'm also looking at other manufacturers - not that I'm dissatisfied with what I've bought, but because it's fun to look.