This thread certainly makes for interesting reading. As for seats being dumped; here in Australia yes, but what is happening in Japan makes me wonder.
I'm headed back there in late May for another glorious three months of Glider Towing and booked and paid for the whole trip there and back in early March. For the return trip in late August,
all economy seats out of Chitose for Haneda were already booked!
Five months in advance.
And there was only one Business class seat left. So I really had no choice but to take it.
The fact that it was only an extra $AUD100 softened the blow a bit!
Anyway, I get reimbursed when I get there so no great problem