TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average was flat on Tuesday as resource-linked shares such as Mitsubishi Corp gained on higher commodity prices and Wall Street rose on renewed optimism about economic recovery.

But Japan Airlines Corp slipped more than 3 percent after the company asked retirees and employees on Monday to accept an average 40 percent cut to their pension payouts and warned that the struggling airline could face bankruptcy if an agreement could not be reached.

The benchmark Nikkei gained 2.79 points to 9,500.47 after marking its fourth consecutive negative week on Friday, with markets closed on Monday for a holiday.

The broader Topix was also flat at 839.08. (Reporting by Elaine Lies) ((elaine.lies@thomsonreuters.com; +81 3 6441 1807; Reuters Messaging:elaine.lies.reuters.com@reuters.net))
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