2ND LD: Meiji, Yasuda to form nonlife alliance with Nipponkoa.

Japan Weekly Monitor, October, 2002

TOKYO, Oct. 18 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING INFO ON MERGER PLAN)

Nipponkoa Insurance Co. agreed Friday to tie up in the nonlife insurance business with Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co., which will be created through the merger of Meiji Life Insurance Co. and Yasuda Mutual Life Insurance Co., Nipponkoa said.

The property and casualty insurer said it will supply nonlife products to the new life insurer. Nipponkoa itself is relatively new, established in April 2001 through the amalgamation of Nippon Fire & Marine Insurance Co. and Koa Fire & Marine Insurance Co.

''Based on this agreement, we will start detailed discussions and preparations...including which products to supply,'' Nipponkoa said in a statement.

Meiji Yasuda Life will...