Fitch leaves ratings on major Japanese banks unchanged+.

TOKYO, Aug. 28 Kyodo

Fitch Ratings said Tuesday it has left unchanged the credit ratings of 10 Japanese banks, including a holding company, in expectation that the Japanese government will extend support if needed.

''In general, the quality of capital at Japan's major banks is poor, consisting largely of deferred tax assets and government-held preferred securities,'' Fitch said in a statement.

Fitch remains cautious about the outlook for the Japanese economy, and the banks' ''bottom line profitability and capital ratios will remain vulnerable to domestic stock price volatility for some time.''

But the government ''would be forthcoming should it prove to be necessary,'' it said.

''Consequently, there is a high degree of linkage between the banks' debt ratings and the government's ability, and ongoing willingness, to provide adequate and timely support,'' it said.

The concerned banks and their ratings are as follows:

Mizuho Bank , with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of F2, Mizuho Corporate Bank, with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of F2, and Mizuho Trust & Banking, with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of A2.

Mizuho Asset Trust & Banking, with long-term rating of BBB-plus and short-term rating of F2, Mizuho Holdings Inc., with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of F2, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of F2.

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, with long-term rating of A and short-term rating of F1, Mitsubishi Trust & Banking, with long-term rating of A and short-term rating of F1, and UFJ Bank, with long-term rating of A-minus and short-term rating of F2.

UFJ Trust Bank's A-minus long-term and F2 short-term ratings were also confirmed.

Fitch said its sovereign rating on Japan is currently AA with a negative outlook. The banks' outlook is also negative in line with the sovereign rating.