Originally Posted by Bukhara

The N and V is not really that relevant to JAL in the OP's case. He is looking at an AA fare WAS-BKK. AA will have dozens of fares in various fare buckets for this route. The fare will permit JL (or AA codeshare on JL) in various booking classes (usually corresponding to the main longhaul flight - ORD-NRT - when partner OW airlines are involved). The same fare probably allows routings via China/Hong Kong etc with other airlines.

When it comes to a stand alone NRT-BKK fare, you are right that N and V are not much help as JL likely don't publish fares for this route in those classes. This won't be the reason why the OP's original attempts were screwed up, though.