I know Buzz, it sucks! all I can tell you is apply and see what happens but it is our experience that the Japanese look at this in a very black and white manner, to them if you are missing an hour or a thousand hours to meet their minimums it is just that, you don't meet the minimums period! and besides, with this development at Jalways all of a sudden there are 100+ Japanese ATPL holders with tons of heavy time that are experienced in their training methodology, route structure, culture.....! well, let me put it this way. For those in the pool or expecting to jump in the pool, there are 100+ Michel Phelps just about to jump in the pool with you, not good