I would like to extend my sincere greetings on the occasion of the East Asian Insurance Day for 2025.
October 18 marks the memorable day when the first EAIC was held in Tokyo in 1962, and it is regarded as a symbol of collaboration and mutual understanding within the insurance industry in the East Asian region.
The EAIC was established as an international conference adopting a rotating host city system and excluding political and religious influences, originating from the friendship between Mr. Sevilla of National Life Insurance Company of the Philippines and Mr. Taizo Fukumuro, who later became the first Managing Director of FALIA. For over 60 years, the EAIC has served as an "open bridge" connecting the insurance industry in the East Asian region, functioning as a value-driven network that emphasizes trust, cooperation, and solidarity, unconstrained by formality.
At the first Tokyo conference, Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda sent a congratulatory message, expressing his hope that life insurance, based on the spirit of mutual aid, would contribute to the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the nation. This vision was ahead of its time and resonates with today's SDG Goal 3: "Good Health and Well-being." The founding philosophy of the EAIC continues to live on across generations.
On the other hand, Asia still faces significant challenges such as disparities and poverty, and it has been pointed out that the number of people living in extreme poverty has increased since the pandemic. Ensuring universal health coverage and securing access to medical care are urgent issues, and the role of insurance as a social infrastructure to prepare for risks is becoming ever more important.
Going forward, it is essential for the EAIC to continue promoting collaboration among Asian countries, enhancing insurance literacy, and contributing to the development of better insurance systems. On the East Asian Insurance Day, I would like to renew my respect for the founding spirit and sincerely hope that, through insurance, we can contribute to the improvement of health and well-being of people and the sustainable growth of the Asian region.
The Foundation for the Advancement of Life & Insurance Around the world (FALIA):
A public interest incorporated foundation that aims to promote and disseminate sound insurance principles throughout society, and to broadly contribute to the healthy development of the insurance industry worldwide through activities such as domestic and international seminars, essay competitions, and research initiatives.
2026 EAIC Tokyo Conference will take place on 14-16 September 2026, more information is available on the conference website.