We were told by one ANA reservations agent the same thing also. However, on a different call, we were able to get seat assignments for award seats in business. Subsequent award reservations had no problem getting advance seat assignments.

Perhaps you might try to call back again, and I assume you are calling ANA, and not the Star Alliance partner whom's FFP you are redeeming for the awards?

By the way, you might want to take a look at the ANA seatmaps on http://www.seatexpert.com , I have recently added coverage for ANA.
__________________________________________

Please visit SeatExpert.com International Airline seatmaps