Almost all Jalways pilots were commuters to Japan and based in HNL. As I understand it the JAL pilot union fought vigorously to NOT allow foreign pilots to fly the 747-400. With the classics becoming expensive to operate the writing was on the wall if the Ex Pats were not allowed to fly the 400 their jobs would be eventually eliminated. It looks like the JAL pilot union was succesful in NOT allowing Ex Pats to fly the 400. This will not effect other JAL contracts in the short term like J-Air or the 737 pilots flying at JAL. It will also in the short term not effect ANA pilots but the political tide could change if they ever start furloughing Japanese pilots and Ex Pats are still employed, a round of protectionism could start. The Japanese economy is struggling and load factors are very low on most travel destinations. Cargo loads are also way down.