Latest Japan Headlines

All the headlines from our Japan Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Best Affirms Sompo’s ‘A+’ Rating

Dec 29 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Superior) and assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa-” to Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. However, Best...

Best Affirms Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire ‘A++’ Ratings

Dec 2 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of “A++” (Superior) and assigned an issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa+” to Japan’s Tokio Marine & Nichido...

Best Affirms Toa Re (Japan) Ratings; Downgrades U.S. Sub ICR

Nov 17 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of “A+” (Superior) and the “aa-” issuer credit rating (ICR) of Japan’s Toa Reinsurance Company, Limited (Toa...

Japan to Privatize Postal System

Oct 14 2005 // Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made good on his promise to privatize the country’s giant postal system when the upper house of parliament, which had refused the measure in August, passed the postal reform...

S&P Analyzes Earthquake Threat for Japan’s Property/Casualty Companies

Sep 12 2005 // “The one-two punch of insurance payouts and share price losses following a major earthquake in Tokyo would not immediately jeopardize insurance companies’ ability to pay claims, but could have a negative impact...

Koizumi Wins “Japan Post” Privatization Election in a Landslide

Sep 12 2005 // Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has won an overwhelming victory in elections to the Lower House of the country’s Parliament. Koizumi called a snap general election last August (See IJ Website Aug. 7)...

Typhoon Nabi Hits Kyushu

Sep 6 2005 // Typhoon Nabi roared ashore on Japan’s Southern Island of Kyushu. So far the storm has caused at least one confirmed death; 16 people are reported missing and 23 have reportedly been injured.Nabi is packing winds of...

Best Affirms NIPPONKOA ‘A’ Rating

Sep 5 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of Japan’s NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Limited with a stable outlook.“The rating reflects...

Typhoon Mawar Nears Japan

Aug 25 2005 // Typhoon Mawar is reported to be nearing Japan’s main island of Honshu. It is currently a category 2 storm with sustained winds of 105 mph (168 kph). Mawar’s path has been erratic and it’s still unclear...

Pet Insurance Coming to Japan

Aug 23 2005 // According to a report from Japan’s Kyodo news agency, the country’s pet owners may soon be able to take out insurance coverage for the cost of medical treatment for injured or ill pets. Pet coverage, while...

Japanese Quake Injures Dozens

Aug 16 2005 // A reported 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Tuesday, injuring nearly 60 people, creating landslides and disrupting power to thousands of homes. A number of the reported injuries were children, who were...

U.S. and Japan Insurers Propose International Accounting Standards

Jul 25 2005 // Leading U.S. life and property/casualty insurance and reinsurance companies and the four largest life insurance companies in Japan have jointly advanced a draft of basic insurance accounting principles that recognize the...

Best Affirms Mitsui Sumitomo ‘A+’ Rating

Jun 24 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Superior) of Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited with a stable outlook.“The rating reflects Mitsui...

Best Affirms Rating for Fuji Fire & Marine Insurance

Jun 23 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Very Good) of The Fuji Fire & Marine Insurance Company Limited (Fuji Fire) (Japan). The rating outlook has been revised to positive from stable.The...

Excess Capital: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Jun 6 2005 // As capital accumulates on insurers’ balance sheets, carriers are figuring out what to do with it if anything at all.The industry is flush with cash after a long hard market and lower corporate bond defaults. Although...

Excess Capital: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Jun 6 2005 // As capital accumulates on insurers’ balance sheets, carriers are figuring out what to do with it if anything at all.The industry is flush with cash after a long hard market and lower corporate bond defaults. Although...

Excess Capital: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Jun 6 2005 // As capital accumulates on insurers’ balance sheets, carriers are figuring out what to do with it if anything at all.The industry is flush with cash after a long hard market and lower corporate bond defaults. Although...

Best Affirms Aioi ‘A’ Rating

May 25 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of Japan’s Aioi Insurance Company Ltd. with a stable outlook.“The rating reflects Aioi’s excellent...

Excess Capital: Too Much of a Good Thing?

May 23 2005 // As capital accumulates on insurers’ balance sheets, carriers are figuring out what to do with it–if anything at all. The industry is flush with cash after a long hard market and lower corporate bond defaults....

Excess Capital: Too Much of a Good Thing?

May 23 2005 // As capital accumulates on insurers’ balance sheets, carriers are figuring out what to do with it-if anything at all. The industry is flush with cash after a long hard market and lower corporate bond defaults....