The way back is a bit easier since with a 1:30pm landing time in LA, there are a lot more flight options later that day even after leaving a healthy buffer (though you would likely end up on a redeye back to NY). A once-daily longhaul international flight is also somewhat more likely to be on time than a domestic flight on a route served many times daily.

ANA has fairly good award availability on JFK-NRT, so that is one option if you want to get to Japan (the award could be booked through SQ or other Star transfer partners). And if you really want to try Suites, you could put up with the hassle of an LAX connection in one direction and do the nonstop in the other direction.