  We have made a study of the $J/\psi \to \eta' h_1, \eta h_1$ (with $h_1$
being $h_1(1170)$ and $h_1(1380)$) and $J/\psi \to \pi^0 b_1(1235)^0$ assuming
the axial vector mesons to be dynamically generated from the
pseudoscalar-vector meson interaction. We have taken the needed input from
previous studies of the $J/\psi \to \phi \pi \pi, \omega \pi \pi$ reactions.
  We obtain fair agreement with experimental data and provide an explanation on
why the recent experiment on $J/\psi \to \eta' h_1(1380), h_1(1380) \to K^{*+}
K^- +c.c.$ observed in the $K^+ K^- \pi^0$ mode observes the peak of the
$h_1(1380)$ at a higher energy than its nominal mass.
