East Asia Insurance Congress (EAIC) General Secretary Masayuki Tanaka has extended his greetings on the occasion of the East Asian Insurance Day for 2026. Mr Tanaka said, "I would like to extend my sincere greetings on the occasion of the East Asian Insurance Day for 2026. EAIC Day is celebrated on 18 October annually.
“The EAIC originated from the personal 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. It was founded on their belief that Asian countries should learn from one another’s social insurance systems and deepen mutual understanding. Since then, by excluding political and religious influences and continuing its tradition of rotating among host cities, the EAIC has grown into one of the largest international insurance conferences in East Asia.”
East Asian Insurance Day was established at the 23rd EAIC in 2006, and since then various initiatives have been undertaken in participating countries to enhance insurance literacy. In Japan as well, steady efforts have continued through contributions to industry publications and information dissemination activities by the LIAJ.
In recent years, the role of insurance companies has expanded beyond the provision of protection to include the prevention of accidents and diseases, health promotion, and the enhancement of quality of life (QOL). Across Asia, challenges such as population aging and increasing pressures on the finances of social insurance systems are becoming more serious. Insurance companies are therefore expected to address these issues as part of their social mission.
At the same time, sustainability has become an indispensable theme for the insurance industry. Climate instability, biodiversity loss, and increasing pollution are affecting insurance claims, while microplastics and air pollution are heightening health risks. The growing instability of food systems and the spread of infectious diseases are also having a significant impact on the industry. Insurance is an industry built on trust, and failure to address environmental and social challenges could undermine that trust. Sustainability is therefore an essential prerequisite for the industry's long-term viability and continued social acceptance.
Under these circumstances, the role that the EAIC should play is becoming increasingly important. I sincerely hope that greater recognition of East Asian Insurance Day and deeper insurance literacy across participating countries will contribute to the development of the Asian region as a whole and strengthen its resilience.