I would suggest keeping the thermos in an insulated lunchbox or cooler. Should easily stay hot all day then.

The design may be the same. The build quality is just a bit lower as a rule. Japanese Zojirushi appliances routinely last for decades. You can pass them down to your kids. The non-Japanese made items are still good, they’re just not made to last forever the way the older Japanese ones are.

Many of the Zojirushi products available in the US now are made in China and a definite step down from the older Japanese models.