Those same competitors, as well as numerous financial investors, now have the rare opportunity to acquire stakes in several of these operating companies.
The troubled international insurance group has kicked off a divestment programme to repay the US government, which saved it from collapse last month by extending an $85bn credit line.
In Japan, AIG will consider offers for its three life insurance units, Alico Japan, AIG Edison and AIG Star. Together, they represent the fifth-largest life insurance business in Japan by premium income. Analysts believe that the sale of the trio could fetch $10bn and trigger a major shake-up of the domestic industry.