JAL introduces the heavily discounted oneworld YOKOSO/ Visit TOHOKU Fare to boost tourism to the region. Image by Japan Airlines.

Since June 1 2013, Japan Airlines (JAL) has started the "VISIT TOHOKU!" project to stimulate tourism demands and support local industries in the Tokoku region which was severely affected by the earthquake a couple of years ago. From October 1 2013, JAL will introduce a new heavily discounted oneworld YOKOSO/ Visit TOHOKU Fare for eligible oneworld passengers to visit the region.

JAL posts a notice on its website informing passengers of the planned strike.

[Update: The planned strike has been canceled]

JAL Flight Crew Union plans to strike for 24 hours on June 19 2013 as it is not satisfied with how Japan Airlines (JAL) replied to its demands. The planned strike will only affect domestic operations and as of right now, JAL has canceled some of its domestic flights on that day and has issued a special refund and cancelation policy.

JAL will enhance the meals served in Domestic First Class. Image by Japan Airlines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced it will enhance its popular Domestic First Class offerings from June 2013. This time it is the breakfast and lunch menus that will get the enhancement, while JAL will continue its collaboration with famous local restaurants in the region featured in the JAPAN PROJECT during the month. Currently JAL offers Domestic First Class on select flights between Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Itami, Sapporo Chitose, Fukuoka, and Okinawa Naha.

JAL Happiness Express - a special livery to celebrate Tokyo Disney Resort 30th anniversary. Image from Japan Airlines

[Update: Added links to the Aviation Wire report which you can see the plane up close and the JAL original seat rest cover and paper cup]

Yesterday I reported that Japan Airlines (JAL) has painted one of its domestic Boeing 777-200 with special Disney livery to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo Disney Resort. Today JAL finally releases more details on this special livery dubbed "JAL Happiness Express" and held an event at Tokyo Haneda to officially unveil the plane.

Newly opened Sakura Lounge at Sapporo New Chitose. Image from Japan Airlines

JAL Global Club Entrance at Tokyo Haneda

Back in September 2010, Japan Airlines (JAL) announced a new JAL Global Club (JGC) Entrance at Tokyo Haneda Airport, which is basically a separate express security lane for JGC, JMB Sapphire and oneworld Sapphire members. It was then expanded to Osaka Itami and Fukuoka earlier this year in March. And now it is finally Sapporo New Chitose Airport's turn! With this latest addition, JAL will provide express security lanes for its domestic First Class passengers and the mid and top tier elites at 4 major airports in Japan.

JAL will be serving 2012 Beaujolais Villages Nouveau on Beaujolais Nouveau Day. Image from JALUX

Japan Airlines (JAL) announces they will be serving a special wine and bread on the Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which falls on November 15 this year. Beaujolais Nouveau is a French red wine made from gamay grapes from the Beaujolais region and has a very short fermentation time. The wine is supposed to consume as soon as possible when it is fresh and fruity. This wine is released to the public on the third Thursday of November every year and this day is called the Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

To celebrate this year's Beaujolais Nouveau Day, JAL will be serving the 2012 Beaujolais Villages Nouveau from Pierre Ferraud & Fils and a JAL Original bread, PAIN AU BEAUJOLAIS, from Maison Kayser created just for this occasion on select international flights and at the lounges on November 15 2012.

JAL Arashi Jet 2012. Image from Japan Airlines

The new JAL First Class Lounge at Tokyo Narita (Source: JAL Press Release)

According to Japan Airlines' (JAL) mid term management plan, JAL is planning to refurbish some of its lounges in Japan and overseas. They have just announced the list of lounges they plan to refurbish during the current fiscal year. Also due to lounge congestion at Tokyo Narita (NRT) during the busy morning departure hours, JAL will also be opening a brand new JAL First Class Lounge and Sakura Lounge at terminal 2 for international passengers.

JAL "Ganbare! Nippon!" London Olympics special livery (Source: JAL Press Release)

You know this is coming right? As the official Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), Japan Airlines (JAL) has been painting special liveries to support the Japanese national Olympic teams during The Olympics. This year is no exception. JAL will roll out this special "Ganbare! Nippon!" (Do your best! Japan!) livery this summer!

JAL x Tokyo Sky Tree Livery (Source: JAL Press Release)

Japan Airlines (JAL) is one of the official partners of the new Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest tower in the world. To celebrate the scheduled opening of Tokyo Sky Tree on May 22 2012, JAL will paint a Boeing 777-200 (JA8978) with a special JAL x Tokyo Sky Tree Livery.

Design of JAL Global Club (JGC) Entrance at Itami (Source: JAL Press Release)

Last year Japan Airlines (JAL) has set up an additional express security lane at Tokyo Haneda (HND) Airport Terminal 2 called JAL Global Club (JGC) Entrance to shorten the wait time at security checkpoint or its frequent flyers. JAL has decided to expand this JGC Entrance to Osaka Itami (ITM) and Fukuoka (FUK) airports in March.

JAL Kaibutsu-kun (Mr Monster) Jet (Source: JAL website)

Japan Airlines (JAL) has once again cooperate with an animate to promote an upcoming animate movie, Kaibutsu-kun (Mr Monster). JAL has printed the main character Kaibutsu-kun (Mr Monster) played by no one other than Satishi Ohno from our favorite Japanese boy band Arashi (yea obviously right :p) on one of its Boeing 777-200 body (registration JA8985). The giant 17m x 5.7m decal is located at the aft section of the fuselage just like the one on the 2011 Arashi Jets.

JAL Arashi Jet with new JAL livery. Image by Japan Airlines.

Yes, Asahi Jet is back! Japan Airlines will be bringing back the popular Arashi livery this summer. And they will be painting TWO (yes TWO!) 777-200 with this special Arashi livery. Both JAL Arashi Jets will be flying domestically between July 25 2011 (July 26 for JAL Arashi Jet 2 if it's not delayed) and Jan 2012. They will be used on HND-ITM, HND-CTS, HND-FUK, and HND-OKA routes. Below are the planned schedules for Arashi Jet 1 till end of September

Japan Airlines (JAL) will resume flights to Sendai (SDJ) earlier than expected on April 13 2011. JAL will operate 1 Daily flight to Tokyo Haneda (HND) and 2 daily flights to Osaka Itami (ITM). Below are the schedules

April 11 - 20
JAL4721 HND 08:55 - SDJ 10:00
JAL4724 SDJ 17:00 - HND 18:05

JAL4755 ITM 11:45 - SDJ 13:00
JAL4757 ITM 14:45 - SDJ 16:00
JAL4756 SDJ 11:00 - ITM 12:20
JAL4758 SDJ 14:00 - ITM 15:20

For the rest of the special Tohoku region relief flights, please visit JAL website: http://www.jal.co.jp/other/info2011_0411_rinji.html (Japanese only)