In a recent poll of 37 economists conducted by the Wall Street Journal, Bernanke received a 7.6 (out of 10) rating for his ability to lead the Fed, beating out all but one of the other likely candidates for the Fed chairmanship.
Although Norinchukin is not legally obliged to rescue them, it will come under political pressure to do so, weakening its deteriorating credit rating and so its ability to borrow internationally at what are by Japanese standards cheap rates in the markets.