The government will not guarantee loans and other funding for Japan Airlines Corp., Finance Minister Hirohisa Fujii said Tuesday as the cash-strapped carrier seeks a public bailout to stay aloft.

But transport minister Seiji Maehara emphasized that the administration will stick to its earlier pledge to "firmly support" the airline regardless of whether government guarantees are extended.

The move comes as uncertainty remains over whether JAL will be able to make the sharp cuts to pension benefits for both retirees and current employees deemed essential to convince the public of the need for a taxpayer-funded bailout.