Wide open availability for TIJ-PEK-KIX between August & October ($2520); 22 hour overnight in PEK on the outbound & three hours in PEK on the return. Appears to be on the older 2-2-2 J configuration, which is actually good for two people traveling together. HU is known for frequent and last-minute equipment swaps, so it could end up being swapped with a newer configuration.

There is a lot that can and will happen between now and October (both between Japan & China, and between USA & Mexico), but I decided to jump on it for my birthday trip, as it is hard to even get PE for this price anymore. Change fee is $400 and cancellation is $800. I tried to add a longer stop in PEK, but it caused the price to jump up to $4k. Still get basically a full day to explore Beijing, which should be enough to scratch my itch. I already have a 10 year China visa, but this should be eligible for the 10-day TWOV for US citizens. The PEK-KIX flight hasn't been cancelled in the last two weeks, and they have only reduced the frequency on this route by one day so far this year.