Yes, same, definitely attached to the pillar. I looked at options of perhaps replacing with a better quality rubber (just the rubber, as the pillars are still perfect, bar the rubber). There doesn't seem to be any gaskets that would fit in a suitable manner. Investigated. Might investigate having some made, obviously this end of the pond.
Interesting that you say unpainted Alex, as the ones I was quoted on this end of the pond, was with the suitable coloured paint (although they may have been wrong). Which wouldn't match to everything else of course.
This end of the world with our extremely harsh UV rays, it's a very common problem for the rubber to start to perish, so if someone can come up with some bright answer at a reasonable price (just the rubber not the actual pillar cover), may have a captive audience.
Slightly disappointing quality of rubber there and on the door/window frame, not seen this on older Nissan's. Out of interest on cars that get any love and are detailed and some that are never cleaned, whether they be garage kept or otherwise.