"Becoming United as One" said the Employees of Japan Airlines

(Oita Godo Newspaper, January 19th 2010, morning paper)

Japan Airlines had applied for company restructuring, and from January 19th the reconstruction of company under the government's management had started. The employees of Japan Airlines expressed "Today, we have become one and we will do our best!" Also, from the customers of Japan Airlines who have been using the services, words of support and encouragements could be heard, such as "we hope for the successful reconstruction" and "we want to use more of JAL's services to help".

The employees of Japan Airlines had gathered from 8 o'clock in the morning at the headquarter in Shinagawa area, Tokyo.  A lot of journalists from domestic and overseas were present, but the employees refused to give any comments and silently rushed to the headquarter.

A female employee in her forties who works in the Business Operations Department expressed, "We are attached emotionally to the companies. I am worried about the restructuring process but today we can only do our best. I feel like crying..."

A male employee in his forties said, "We can only do our best to support in a safe way. If there is any accident happening, we will lose the trust in society, and eventually we will not able to help Japan Airlines. I am feeling a sense of crisis".

Comment:
I feel symphathetic to Japan Airlines who has to undergo the restructuring. According to the news related to the executive compensation the I read last year, I came to know that the CEO of JAL actually cut his own salary and compensation in solidarity with the other employees and he even takes public bus and eat in the canteen together with other employees. I felt really touch by his actions. However, the financial condition worsens, as airline industry is indeed easily affected by financial crisis. Nonetheless, I hope for JAL's recovery.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM3