There does not appear to be any misunderstanding on AAgent's part.
AAgent saw OP is not transiting to 3rd country as OP was ticketed back to origin country (US) via NRT as a connection and not a stopover and thus denied boarding as OP didn't qualify for TVOW and didn't have a Chinese visa.
The crux is NRT is a connection.
Originally Posted by
LHR/MEL/Europe FF
Involuntary changes to an itinerary do not invalidate TWOV. If your flight out of china is delayed or cancelled the passenger is not held liable for any breach of TWOV (which might include overstay or rerouting).
One or two agents not understanding the rules does not mean everyone has to go and get visas. 39,000 passengers used TWOV last year in China, including pax on the same sort of itinerary as the OP. Passengers shouldn't have to go to additional expense because of airline error.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Having an "official" stopover over 48 hours at NRT still doesn't avoid problems with airline agents not letting one board for TWOV.