Compared to what? They are a 10+ year old seat design. At the time, cutting edge for Business Class; now they are one of the worst business class seats you can get. If OP is not a "good" sleeper, i.e. - can sleep anywhere on anything I would check out alternative airlines or routings. For example, JL has its new J seat on specific JFK-NRT flights. The seat is not quite flat - a slight slant and not as good as the new DL flat seats, but miles ahead of the old BE seats. The service should be as good or better, and the food will be roughly the same or better, particularly the Japanese selections.

Unfortunately, however, unless OP has AA instruments to upgrade to F on their 777 service, he will find that JFK-NRT doesn't right now have any really top of the line J product. CO will start their upgrades this fall with a product in J that is at the same level as the DL new 777 J.

As a UA 1P, OP may want to consider UA routings using reconfigured 747s which have a very nice J product, again, way, way ahead of the old DL BE recliners for a long flight.