The carrier is usually Japan Airlines (JAL) or another American Airlines partner on the Japan award, not necessarily American itself. On partner awards, a one-way ticket to Japan from the US is commonly 35,000 AAdvantage miles in economy or 60,000 miles in business ; American-operated flights can price much higher because they use dynamic award pricing.

Carrier

  • Most common partner carrier: Japan Airlines, a Oneworld partner that American miles can book.
  • Other possible carrier: Cathay Pacific on some routes, depending on award space.
  • American Airlines itself: possible, but mileage cost can vary widely and is often less predictable than partner awards.

Mileage cost

  • Economy to Japan: about 35,000 miles one-way on partner awards.
  • Business class to Japan: about 60,000 miles one-way on partner awards.
  • Intra-Japan flights: as low as 7,500 miles one-way on Japan Airlines within Japan.

What this means

If you want the cleanest answer, think: American miles + Japan Airlines = the most standard way to book Japan. If you want, I can also map out the cheapest route by cabin class and city pair.