Scott,
For Japan, the extra cheap sea freight option has indeed disappeared. For those that were not aware, it was often just as cheap to mail something to Japan as across the country.
You do however have three options using USPS for boxes up to 108"
You can see the complete details for Japan here:
http://pe.usps.com/
For boxes up to 108" you can ship Global Express Guaranteed, Express
Mail International and Priority Mail International. On this webpage you
can see all the countries that permit 108" postal packages sent by
Priority Mail International:
http://pe.usps.com/
Using Priority Mail International, you will get the fast delivery at less money than before, unfortunately you lose the cheap sea freight option.
There continues to be no affordable solution to shipping to Australia.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA