TOKYO (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 7, 2004--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that the acquisition of Aviva PLC's (A+/Stable/--) Asian operations by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. Ltd. (AA-/Stable/A-1+) would not have an impact on its ratings on the Japanese insurer. Some media reported today that Mitsui Sumitomo and the U.K.-based major insurance group, Aviva, have reached a general agreement on the sale of Aviva's Asian operations at over ¥40 billion by the end of 2004. Mitsui Sumitomo said that the companies are currently undergoing negotiations and have not yet reached a formal agreement. Standard&Poor's believes that the size and timing of the reported acquisition will not affect the ratings on Mitsui Sumitomo. Until recently, Mitsui Sumitomo has
