Latest Japan Headlines

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

Ratings Roundup: Dah Sing, Qualitas, Nissan Global

Oct 28 2010 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Bermuda-based Dah Sing Insurance Company Limited (DSI), both with stable outlooks....

Tide of History Runs against Would-be G20 ‘Grand Bargain’

Oct 20 2010 // Speculation of a grand bargain by the Group of 20 to rebalance the global economy is swirling ever faster thanks to China’s surprise decision to raise interest rates for the first time since 2007. Higher rates ought...

Aon Sees Catastrophes, Consolidation, Regulation in Asian Re Market

Oct 19 2010 // Aon Benfield launched a market update for the key Asia Pacific reinsurance hubs of Australia/New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and China at the recently concluded East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC) in Bali. The announcement...

AIG to Sell Japan Life Units to Prudential (U.S.) for $4.8 Billion

Sep 30 2010 // American International Group said Thursday it will sell its two Japanese life insurance units to Prudential Financial Inc for $4.8 billion, marking another step in its efforts to repay U.S. taxpayers. The sale of AIG Star...

RMS Releases New Japan Typhoon Parametric Industry Loss Index

Sep 21 2010 // Risk Management Solutions has added to its Japan typhoon existing suite of parametric industry loss indices. The program “now includes the insurance industry’s five largest peril regions – U.S. hurricane...

AIR Tracking Typhoon Kompasu, Tropical Cyclones

Aug 31 2010 // According to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide, the sixth, seventh, and eighth named storms of the northwest Pacific season are approaching the Asian mainland bringing high winds and expected heavy...

Japan Analyzing Damage to Tanker in Hormuz Strait

Aug 19 2010 // Checks on a Japanese oil tanker, damaged by a mystery explosion near the Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route, found a soot-like substance in a large dent in its hull, the Transport Ministry in Tokyo said on Wednesday. (See...

Insurers Await Report on Japanese Tanker Attack

Aug 9 2010 // A suspected militant strike on a Japanese-owned tanker illustrates how vulnerable merchant ships are to attack on the high seas with navies stretched fighting Somali piracy, analysts and shipping sources said on...

Japan Tanker: Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility; Insurers Monitor Events

Aug 4 2010 // A militant group linked to al Qaeda said on Wednesday that a suicide bomber was responsible for a mysterious explosion on a Japanese-owned oil tanker a week ago near the Strait of Hormuz. But analysts are sceptical about...

Ozeki Named Executive VP of Chartis Far East

Aug 3 2010 // Chartis has appointed Makoto Ozeki to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Chartis Far East Holdings, which services Japan and Korea. Ozeki will be responsible for...

China’s Economy Set to Pass Japan’s as World’s Second Biggest

Aug 2 2010 // China is set to overtake Japan as the world’s second-largest economy in a resurgence that is changing everything from the global balance of military and financial power to how cars are designed. By some measures it...

Japan Tanker Shows How Getting Answers on Ship Security Not Easy

Jul 30 2010 // The confusion around what the owners initially called a possible “attack” on a Japanese tanker in the volatile Straits of Hormuz shows the difficulties markets and policymakers face reacting to security events...

Japan Supertanker Probe Reveals Crash Impact

Jul 29 2010 // A Japanese supertanker, which triggered fears of an attack in the sensitive Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route, collided with something, possibly a submarine or mine, UAE port officials inspecting the ship said on...

‘Freak Wave’ Damages Japan Supertanker in Strait of Hormuz

Jul 28 2010 // A Japanese oil tanker damaged by a freak wave in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, was making its way to a port in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. The ship’s owners...

China Braces for Typhoon Conson; Vietnam Evacuates Thousands

Jul 16 2010 // Southern China on Friday battened down to await the arrival of Typhoon Conson, gathering strength over the South China Sea, and Vietnam deployed nearly 3,000 troops to areas in the path of the storm. Swollen rivers and...

Report IDs Pacific Northwest as ‘Mega-Earthquake’ Hotspot

Jul 5 2010 // The Pacific Northwest is one of five regions in the world most likely to see a mega-earthquake, according to a new report. “When The Earth Moves: Mega-Earthquakes To Come?” published by Aon Benfield in...

Willis Re Appoints Byng to Lead New Property Resource Group

Jul 1 2010 // Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of Willis Group Holdings announced the appointment of James Byng Property Resource Group Leader for its International and Specialty reinsurance business. He will assume this new position on...

Aon Benfield Report Identifies ‘Mega-Earthquake’ ‘Hotspots

Jun 15 2010 // Aon Benfield has published a new report – “When The Earth Moves: Mega-Earthquakes To Come?” – in conjunction with the Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre. The report was prompted by the recent...

Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Schmidt Resigns

Jun 8 2010 // J.P. Schmidt, Insurance Commissioner of the State of Hawaii, announced he be leaving his position to join the Honolulu law firm of Bays Deaver Lung Rose Holma, effective July 1. Schmidt will be practicing general business,...

Saft: Lessons for U.S., UK from Japan’s Lost Decade

May 28 2010 // Deflation and a lost decade can be avoided it seems; all we need are perfect central bankers, sensible politicians, a biddable electorate and cooperative investors. Nothing to worry about there, then. In a speech on...