Last time I inquired in Japan for aerial photography, with Aero Asahi, I was quoted 300,000JPY/h for an AS355 (about $2950/hr). That's 50% more than I pay in the US (about $1800/hr usually).
Not sure where you were getting JetRangers for $550/hr but that's a hell of a deal. That's cheaper than I see most R44s, for charter at least.