Japan Airlines Corp. said Tuesday that in a preliminary survey it has received approval from 75 percent of retirees for proposed cuts in their pension benefits, bringing the struggling carrier a step closer to receiving vital restructuring aid.

About 5,700 respondents to the survey said they were willing to take the cuts, while JAL needs a total of 5,870, or two thirds of retirees, to carry out the reductions that are deemed necessary before it can gain access to a broad government financial package.

The survey was sent to roughly 8,800 retirees and about 7,600 replied, according to JAL.

The approval rate could still fluctuate because the survey did not include exact data on how much each individual would have to sacrifice.

"We can't be optimistic, but we believe it will be possible to reach (the two-thirds needed) in view of the fact that three-quarters of the respondents gave their approval," a JAL official said.

The company will continue to try to persuade the retirees, including about 1,200 who did not respond to the survey, company officials said.

JAL, seeking to turn itself around under government supervision, hopes to submit more specific proposals on an individual basis before the end of the month and carry out an official vote in January.