Tokyo has extended loan guarantees to smaller companies affected by the recession, but the JAL deal marks the first time during the slump that a major group will receive taxpayer backing for its debt.

• 日本政府已将贷款担保扩大到受经济衰退影响的小公司，但日本航空获得贷款担保，是衰退期间首家大公司得到纳税人对其债务的担保。