Yes, that's how I interpreted this. NA -> S. Asia via Europe should be 120K in business, being the higher mileage of NA -> Europe (105K) and Europe -> S. Asia (120K).

But I had a frustrating experience trying to book a NA -> Japan via Europe award tonight. The mileage required as I understand should be 120K, which is the higher mileage of NA -> Europe (105K) and Europe -> Japan (120K), well, which turns out to be the same as NA -> Japan (120K)

The first agent told me the rules had been changed, and now NA -> Asia (including Japan) via Europe can only have stopover in either Frankfurt or Munich. Then she went on to check something and put me on hold, and somehow I was cutoff

So I called back again, and the second agent was not aware of this rule change, but said it would cost 135K, because from Europe to Japan costs 135K and is the higher mileage for the two regions. I pointed out to her that the 135K corresponds to Europe to Japan via US, not Europe to Japan directly. She then checked with the supervisor, and then the routing department, and came back and said actually the rules have been changed since the beginning of the year so that stopover in Europe is completely not allowed now

I guess I will have to use the hang up and call back approach, but would like to know if anyone has been able to book something similar recently.