TOKYO (Standard&Poor's) Jan. 24, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today placed its 'BBB' long-term and 'A-2' short-term issuer credit and issue ratings on Toshiba Corp. on CreditWatch with negative implications, following the announcement Toshiba has obtained preferential negotiation rights and has begun negotiations with British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) to acquire its subsidiaries and major nuclear power generator, BNFL USA Group Inc. and Westinghouse Electric UK Ltd. (collectively, Westinghouse). The ratings on Toshiba's subsidiaries were also placed on CreditWatch with negative implications (see ratings list below). Media reports estimate that the acquisition will cost Toshiba about $5 billion. The actual investment burden on Toshiba, and other details of the acquisition have not yet been confirmed. The acquisition may
