http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/page08_000020.html

The proposal, created last year, to fund 10,000 flights to Japan for foreigns has been turned down by the government, reportedly due to wanting to put the funding toward restoration efforts from the Touhoku earthquake and tsunami, which struck on March 11, 2011.

For those still interested in traveling to Japan, January is a somewhat cold (but personally I’d rather deal with cold than humidity) but affordable month to travel. I checked Delta.com recently and saw prices around $1000.00 from Chicago, including taxes and fuel surcharge. Sure, it’s expensive, but just wait till March and April: $1500 and up!