In simple terms,Airbus have a great new toy and are hungry to sell it.
I`m not sure to date,but aren`t the biggest 747 operators in Japan? ANA (who are turning to airbus now) / JAL Cram the ******s into the 747s..been on one (ANA 744D)and if they can sell the A380D (if one is pencilled) to a Japanese operator,that will be a great start.
I think people are very scared of the change...will feel kinda weird I suppose,being so BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG.