You can connect beyond the gateway, and AY flies almost everywhere in Europe. Summer availability is pretty much dried up now but there was availability for almost every day in summer up until a few months ago. I fly out in a couple of weeks (to FCO, via HEL)

As for Asia, several countries are open. I'm going to South Korea in August (basic economy ticket + SWU though; not an award). Other than Japan, Taiwan, and China (including Hong Kong) what isn't open?

Even though you can't enter Japan, you can connect onto another country. And, before covid, there was always tons of JL saver space (I booked it many times with my AS miles). So it's not true that there is only availability because most people can't enter Japan. There's always been availability.

It seems to me that people enjoy complaining more than traveling. If you want to travel, there are plenty of good opportunities to use your miles.