Aeon is in the process of a takeover bid for Daiei. We are keeping our 'BBB+' long-term corporate credit rating on Aeon on CreditWatch with negative implications. We will resolve the CreditWatch status after examining progress in the takeover bid and prospects for Aeon's business and financial standing. We believe any downgrade would be limited to one notch. TOKYO (Standard&Poor's) July 23, 2013--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said it has kept its 'BBB+' long-term corporate credit and debt ratings on major Japan-based retailer Aeon Co. Ltd. on CreditWatch with negative implications. This rating action reflects Aeon's ongoing bid to take over major domestic general merchandise store (GMS) retailer Daiei Inc. Aeon has said it aims to make