On behalf of the General Insurance Association of Japan (GIAJ), I would like to extend greetings on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the designation of East Asian Insurance Day (October 18) by the East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC).
Before I begin, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the people in the countries and regions affected by natural disasters. Our thoughts are with all those who have suffered loss or hardship.
I also wish to pay my deep respect to the courageous individuals involved in rescue and recovery efforts – your dedication and resilience are truly inspiring.
The EAIC was established on October 18, 1962. Its purpose was to bring together insurance professionals from East Asian countries and regions, deepen goodwill, and jointly conduct research on the East Asian insurance market. Although it initially attracted only around 20 overseas participants, the first EAIC congress was held in Tokyo. Since then, it has grown into the largest insurance congress in Asia. In Hong Kong last year, it brought together approximately 1,000 insurance practitioners from more than 30 countries and regions worldwide. The next congress will be held in Tokyo in 2026 for the first time in 24 years.
East Asian Insurance Day was established in 2006 to promote greater understanding of the role and importance of insurance across East Asian countries and regions, and to highlight the contributions of the East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC). As a proud member of the East Asian insurance community, our association marks this day as an opportunity to reaffirm the value of insurance in society and to reflect on how we can continue to contribute meaningfully to its development.
In response to recommendations by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a request from the EAIC, the GIAJ has been hosting the Insurance School (Non-Life) of Japan (ISJ), an international insurance technical assistance program for insurance professionals in East Asian countries and regions, every year since 1972.
The ISJ was founded with the desire to serve those engaged in the insurance industry across East Asian countries and regions. So far, it has produced approximately 2,400 graduates over its long history spanning more than 50 years, and is highly regarded by participating regions as an opportunity for providing not only general insurance education and training, but also for providing a forum where participants from various countries and regions are able to connect.
On East Asian Insurance Day, in line with the purpose of its establishment, the GIAJ will continue to undertake the following initiatives to promote understanding and awareness of the role and importance of insurance. To that end, we will continue to undertake the following initiatives:
- Carry out public relations activities through the GIAJ website and insurance business publications.
- Utilize the ISJ graduates' network to promote the importance of insurance in each country and region through celebrating East Asian Insurance Day, and calling for participation in the next EAIC.
We firmly believe that our industry's mission is to contribute to the realization of a safe, secure, and sustainable society, and to support the economic stability and well-being of individuals through the provision of social infrastructure, which is rooted in the spirit of mutual support embodied by general insurance.
Shaped by the severe impact of climate change, the rising frequency and intensity of natural disasters worldwide, and heightened geopolitical tensions in regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East, the social and economic landscape surrounding us is growing increasingly complex. These challenges make it ever more difficult to predict what lies ahead.
Yet, even in such an uncertain and diverse global environment, I believe it is our responsibility as risk bearers to respond with agility, support the sustainable growth of society, and deliver peace of mind and protection to our customers and communities.
In preparation for the 2026 EAIC Tokyo Congress, we are focusing on close collaboration with the life insurance industry to ensure that all participants gain valuable insights and engage in meaningful discussions to address the challenges of our time. Additionally, we are planning a dedicated ISJ program that includes lectures related to natural disasters, a pressing concern for many regions, and steadily advancing our initiatives that contribute to the development of the general insurance business in the East Asian region.
In particular, East Asia faces frequent large-scale natural disasters, and there is growing concern about the widening protection gap—the difference between economic losses caused by such events and the compensation provided by general insurance. Narrowing this gap in areas such as natural catastrophes, cyber risks, and healthcare—where the impact on daily life and society is profound—is a critical role of insurance. Moving forward, it is essential that we deepen discussions and strengthen public-private partnerships to address these challenges effectively.
Lastly, I sincerely hope that this East Asian Insurance Day serves as a meaningful opportunity for all those working in the insurance industry across the region to reflect on the vital role our profession plays in addressing social challenges, and to recognize the importance of collaboration and alignment among East Asian countries and regions through the EAIC.
On this commemorative day, I extend my warmest congratulations and look forward to the 2026 Tokyo Congress becoming a valuable platform for deepening dialogue, sharing knowledge, and strengthening connections. I wish you all continued success and the ongoing growth of the East Asian insurance market.
2026 EAIC Tokyo Conference will take place on 14-16 September 2026, more information is available on the conference website.
Channels:Asia Pacific
Companies:General Insurance Association of Japan
People:Shinichiro Funabiki