Transport minister Seiji Maehara called a hasty news conference Wednesday to repeat the government's determination to support Japan Airlines Corp. and said financial institutions abroad are "excessively concerned" about the struggling carrier's future.
"We would firmly support Japan Airlines in the case of an emergency," Maehara said at the news conference in the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. "Although overseas financial institutions are excessively worried (about JAL), its reconstruction is fully possible."
Maehara has repeatedly said the government will not allow JAL to fail, but some foreign investors began selling their shares, and financial institutions overseas have been trying to cut ties with the airline.