The government has decided to provide full support to Japan Airlines Corp., including possible infusion of public money. A task force of corporate turnaround experts has been created to help the airline, but it will not be able to resuscitate the nation's struggling top air carrier without full-scale efforts from both the workforce and management of JAL.

The main cause of JAL's pickle is high costs deriving from such factors as surplus workers, high wages, pensions with higher than normal benefits, and flights along routes that are unlikely to produce profits from the first. JAL has made efforts to improve the situation in each area, but they have been insufficient.

External factors have compounded the company's troubles. JAL had to offer flights along so-called "deficit-causing" domestic air routes after pressure to do so was exerted by central and local governments. The global recession and the outbreak of the new influenza have caused passenger numbers to drop. Talks with former employees for reducing pension benefits are not making progress.