This is a very deceptive practice that all the major airlines engage in. Regarding the flight out of AUS, when anyone checks a CRS for routings from Austin to Tokyo, CO's flight will appear first, because it is listed as a one stop instead of a connection. As you correctly reported, it is not a one stop, but in fact, a connection, just like all other routings from Austin to Tokyo.

CO Flight #6 is Tokyo-Houston, continuing on to Austin (with a plane change, of course).