Objective & Functions


The Life Insurance Association of Japan (LIAJ) started as an incorporated association with formal sanction by the authorities concerned on 7 December 1908. Since then, the Association has continued to make efforts for the sound development of the life insurance industry.


a)
Objective

To strive for sound development of the life insurance industry and maintenance of its reliability

b)
Functions

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Research and study of theories and practices relating to life insurance
Public relations relating to life insurance
Statement on life insurance
Other functions considered necessary to attain the purpose of the Association

c)

Membership
Forty-five (45) companies (as of October 2009)

d)
Main Activities
(1)
Representing the Opinions of Life Insurance Industry
The Association gathers opinions from its member companies concerning financial, economic, social welfare, tax or other problems which are related to life insurance. The Association conveys ideas and requests of the members whenever necessary to organizations in charge.

(2)
Conducting Research and Taking Statistics
The Association conducts studies and surveys of overseas life insurance industry or of its associated industries. The Association is further in charge of collecting and compiling life insurance materials of reference, releasing publications including this English brochure, and also
taking statistics on life insurance.

(3)
Educational Activities
The Association offers education and examination programs which can be commonly applied throughout the industry to sales agents/agencies and office personnel.

(4)
Operating Life Insurance Network Center
In order to expand computer networks and related joint arrangements within the life insurance industry, LINC (Life Insurance Network Center; established in May 1986) operates to improve the services for policyholders, etc.

(5)
Social Service Activities
The Association is engaged in a variety of social service activities in order to enhance the public understanding and the trust of life insurance business by widely contributing to public interests.

(6)
Public Relations Activities

The Association seeks to provide information to help consumers fully understand the life insurance business and also improve its public relations through advertisement and communication with mass media, consumer groups and opinion leaders in various industries.

In 1976, Japan Institute of Life Insurance (JILI), a foundational juridical person, was established as one of the information providing institutions. It aims to develop relationship between the public and the life insurance industry. The Association maintains a cooperative relationship with JILI in providing life insurance-related information.

(7)
Consultation Services
The Association deals with inquiries and complaints concerning life insurance by telephone, mail and interviews.

(8)
Anti-Moral Hazard Measures
The Association takes a variety of measures to promote sound operation of life insurance business.

(9)
International Activities

The Association responds to inquiries and receives visits from foreign countries. The LIAJ also supports arrangements for international insurance conferences.

Recent main activities are as follows:

(a)

Information Service Office for Foreign Companies

The Japanese life insurance industry has always endeavored to promote mutual understanding with foreign life insurers through inter-industry personnel exchanges.

In May 1982, the Government announced a policy to liberalize the secondary market as part of the efforts to eliminate trade frictions with other countries. On 1 June 1982, shortly after this announcement, the Association set up the "Information Service Office" in order to better serve the needs of potential foreign participants. The office serves as a window to provide information to foreign companies who seek to enter and operate in Japanese market.

(b)
Participating in the International Conference

There are many international insurance conferences, such as EAIC (East Asian Insurance Congress) and PIC (Pacific Insurance Conference). The 24th EAIC was held in Hong Kong from 24 through 27 November 2008 and around 1,000 attendants including about 70 from the Japanese insurance industry participated in the Congress.

(10)
Others
Library:
The Association has a collection of approximately twenty-five thousand books and materials which mainly features life insurance.