Data point:
After 2 weeks struggle with Alaska booking website, follow by several calls to reservation desk and no progress and dead end. Today, I am able to book 2 one way award (J) ticket myself .
Many times, the reservation desk agent transfers me to another reservation desk instead of the correct place ( international partner ticket desk). I also lost $25 partner booking fee because misundrestanding with the so called international reservation agent who does not know how to do it correctly.

Based on what I have experience so far, and I was told, until the purchase request is submitted and confirmed by Japan Airline, the international partner ticket agent can not tell for sure about an award ticket availability and sucessfully book it ,which I feel very weird.

For my case, I have tried to book an around trip using AS Mile and plan to modify it later as some expert has suggested. However, it does not work . And I have tried to book the ticket on different day.

Although I am able to book 2 award business ticket for next year. And I still do not know whether the problems we all facing with Alaska award booking is only temporary or it is like this from now on .