Toshiba Corp., responding to media reports, said today that it was not aware that its U.S. nuclear unit Westinghouse was considering filing for chapter 11 protection from creditors — an option analysts say could jeopardize the entire group, Reuters reported. The Nikkei business daily reported Toshiba was now looking at a potential chapter 11 filing as one of several options for Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse, as it grapples with cost overruns at two U.S. projects that are set to result in a $6.3 billion writedown. In theory, such a drastic step could help draw a line under problems in its nuclear business. But analysts and sources with knowledge of the matter say that even under a chapter 11 filing, Toshiba could still be on the hook for up to $7 billion in potential liabilities as it has guaranteed Westinghouse's contractual commitments — an arrangement typical for the nuclear industry.
