Stmnt re - Seidensha Co. Ltd

RNS Number:6946P
Asahi Bank Ld
9 January 2002


        Possibility of uncollectability or delay in collection of claims 
                          against Seidensha Co., Ltd.

The Asahi Bank, Ltd. (the "Bank") hereby gives notice that one of its customers 
(the "company") has filed an application for commencement of civil 
reorganization proceedings under the Civil Reorganization Law and that it is 
possible that credit extended to the Company may become uncollectable or its 
collection may be delayed.

1.    Description of the Company
      
      (1) Company name:
               Seidensha Co., Ltd.
      (2) Location of Company's Main Office
               1-5-8, Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
      (3) Representative Director 
               Masami Gotoh
      (4) Capital amount
               700 million yen
      (5) Description of business
               Retail sales of electric appliances

2.    Events relating to the Company

      The Company filed with the Kobe District Court an application for         
      commencement of civil reorganization proceedings on January 8, 2002.

3.    Amount of claims outstanding to the Company 

      Loans    4 billion yen

4.    Effects of these events on the Bank

      The Bank will take necessary measures in settling its accounts for the    
      fiscal year ending March 31, 2002. The Bank expects that there will be no 
      substantial changes in the announced projections of the financial results 
      for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002.


                                   Contact: Corporate Communications Department
                                                                   03-5223-5078