You can use US Air miles to claim an award to Japan...if it's on AA metal. If you are only using US Air miles you need to call them to make the reservation. If you are pooling miles you can call AA but bear in mind it takes 21 days *no exceptions*.
You can only use US Air miles and an American Award on these two carriers. So JAL is out.
For purchased tickets on a codeshare, if it is an AA flight number the miles are Q miles.
If it is the JAL flight number..nope.
Hope this helps
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