Allstate Announces Closing of Japanese Operation

11 January 2000

    NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 10 -- The Allstate Corporation
today announced it is closing its Japanese auto insurance
operation.
    The decision was based on Allstate's recent assessment of its overall
business strategy.  In making its decision, the company is committed to
continuing serving its current Japanese customers as it moves out of the
marketplace.  Allstate will be working with and under the guidance of the
Financial Supervisory Agency in Japan to ensure that the transition process
continues to meet customer needs and is in compliance with Japanese
regulations.
    Allstate continues to believe there is long term opportunity in the
Japanese market.  However, as a result of reviewing its overall business
strategy, the company believes it is prudent to focus its resources on other
growth initiatives.
    The Allstate Corporation is the largest publicly held personal lines
insurance company in the United States.  Its main business units include
Allstate Personal Property and Casualty, which provides insurance for more
than 14 million households and has approximately 15,500 agents in the U.S. and
Canada, and Allstate Life and Savings, which markets a number of life
insurance and savings products under a variety of brands through a number of
channels and is currently the 17th largest life insurance business in the U.S.