I am trying to book a two-week trip to Japan in summer 09 - most airlines hover around $1500-2000 for a ticket but JAL is $5000!!! Why????

Where are you flying from.....maybe its not in their hub

have you telephoned them?

Typically JAL and ANA release discounted fares for April - September in late February/early March, so waiting may help. Also, fuel surcharge on these two airlines is set through the end of March and will see adjustment only from April 1 onward bookings...and it should decrease pretty dramatically due to the price of oil being down according to the airlines' own info about the surcharge.

We got our high season tickets from a travel agent in San Francisco for $200 less than any quote from JAL or any website. I believe it was an "N" ticket which still allowed us to collect mileage.