Tokyo, May 31, 2011 -- Moody's Japan K.K. has today taken following rating
actions on 15 Japanese issuers, subsequent to the rating agency's
decision to place the Government of Japan's (GOJ) Aa2 bond rating
and the ratings of Japanese banks on review for possible downgrade:
(i) Review for possible downgrade the long-term ratings of three
railway companies
(ii) Review for possible downgrade the Aa2 long-term rating of
Osaka Gas
(iii) Continue review for possible downgrade the long-term ratings
of nine utility companies
(iv) Continue review for possible downgrade the long-term ratings
of Toyota and NTT DoCoMo
A list of the affected issuers can be found at the end of this press release.
RATINGS RATIONALE
The review for possible downgrade of the three railway companies --
East Japan Railway Co. (Aa1), Central Japan Railway Co (Aa2),
and Kansai Rapid Railway Co (Aa2) -- and Osaka Gas (Aa2) reflects
Moody's view that these companies have very high exposure to the
domestic economy and, as such, do not have ability to disconnect
themselves from the local economic environment, which itself could
worsen as a result of pressures on the sovereign's rating.
Given worsening financial profile of the government, Moody's
sees increased risk that future government policy measures could negatively
impact the operating and financial profiles of these companies and,
as such, their ratings may not be sustainable at levels that are
higher than the GOJ's own rating.
The ratings of these issuers could be lowered in the event of a downgrade
in the GOJ's Aa2 rating.
Moody's had previously placed on review for possible downgrade the
ratings of the nine utilities, reflecting the negative impact from
the March 11 earthquake and accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear
Power Station.
The review of these utilities will now additionally consider the impact
of potentially lower ratings for the GOJ and Japanese banks. Moody's
believes that the placement of the sovereign rating on review for possible
downgrade increases the rating pressure on these utilities.
Separately, Moody's is continuing its review for possible
downgrade of the ratings of the following two corporate issuers,
which are currently rated Aa2 or above.
NTT DoCoMo-- rated Aa1 (on review for possible downgrade since May
13, 2011)
Toyota Motor Corp-- rated Aa2 (on review for possible downgrade since
April 6, 2011)
Moody's had previously placed the ratings of these issuers on review
for possible downgrade, reflecting a potential deterioration in
their fundamental credit quality, due to weaker credit fundamentals.
Refer to individual press releases for the detailed rationale of the rating
reviews.
The review of these issuers will now additionally consider their rating
levels in the event of a downgrade in the ratings of the GOJ and major
Japanese banks.
The placement of the sovereign rating on review for possible downgrade
may increase the rating pressures on these issuers, given varying
degrees of exposure to the domestic economy and, in the case of
Toyota, given the support system factor which is incorporated into
its current rating.
Ratings on review include:
East Japan Railway Company
Central Japan Railway Company
Kansai Rapid Railway Company
Chubu Electric Power Company, Inc.
Chugoku Electric Power Company, Inc.
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Electric Power Company, Inc.
Hokuriku Electric Power Company
Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc.
Kyushu Electric Power Company, Inc.
Okinawa Electric Power Company, Inc.
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
Osaka Gas Company
NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Please see ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on the Moody's
website for the last rating action and the rating history.
The principal methodologies used in this rating were: "Moody's
Global Passenger Railway Companies Rating Methodology" published
on September 30, 2010, "Regulated Electric and Gas Utilities"
published on September 30, 2010,"Global Telecom Industry"
published on February 15, 2011, "Global Automobile Manufacturer
Industry", published on September 30, 2010, and available
on www.moodys.co.jp.
East Japan Railway Company, headquartered in Tokyo, operates
7,527 km of railroad track in Tokyo Metropolitan area and the eastern
Japan.
Central Japan Railway Company, headquartered in Nagoya, is
a railroad operator, with its main franchise comprising the Tokaido
Shinkansen, and conventional lines in the Tokai area.
Kansai Rapid Railway Co., Ltd., headquartered
in Osaka, owns and leases its railroad facilities to West Japan
Railway Company (not rated by Moody's).
The rated utility companies are integrated and are the dominant suppliers
of electricity and gas in their respective service areas.
Chubu Electric Power Company, Inc. (headquarters in Aichi),
Chugoku Electric Power Company, Inc. (headquarters in Hiroshima),
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (headquarters
in Tokyo), Hokkaido Electric Power Company, Inc. headquarters
in Hokkaido), Hokuriku Electric Power Company (headquarters in Toyama),
Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. (headquarters in Osaka),
Kyushu Electric Power Company, Inc. (headquarters in Fukuoka),
Okinawa Electric Power Company, Inc. (headquarters in Okinawa),
and Tokyo Gas Co, Ltd. (headquarters in Tokyo), Osaka
Gas Co., Ltd. (headquarters in Osaka).
NTT DoCoMo, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, is
the leading provider of mobile telecommunications service in Japan.
Toyota Motor Corporation, headquartered in Toyota City, is
Japan's biggest automotive manufacturer.
Moody's will be hosting the following investor teleconferences in
support of the above rating action(s) on Wednesday June 1:
- For Asia (in English): 14:00 HKT, 15:00
JST; 16:00 EST
- For Japan (in Japanese): 15:00 HKT, 16:00
JST; 17:00 EST
- For EMEA/Americas (in English): 07:00 PDT; 10:00
EDT, 15:00 BST, 16:00 CET
Please register for these events at www.moodys.com/events
or email: [email protected]
Tokyo
Kazusada Hirose
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Japan K.K.
JOURNALISTS: (03) 5408-4110
SUBSCRIBERS: (03) 5408-4100
Tokyo
Shinsuke Tanimoto
Senior Vice President - Team Leader
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Japan K.K.
JOURNALISTS: (03) 5408-4110
SUBSCRIBERS: (03) 5408-4100
Moody's Japan K.K.
Atago Green Hills Mori Tower 20fl
2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku
Tokyo 105-6220
Japan
JOURNALISTS: (03) 5408-4110
SUBSCRIBERS: (03) 5408-4100
Moody's reviews 15 Japanese issuers for possible downgrade