A day to think about life insurance

Today, and January 31st annually, is observed as “Life Insurance Day” (生命保険の日). It commemorates the first time a life insurance policy was issued in Japan. On this day in 1882, the Yokohama-based company Meiji Life Insurance delivered the nation’s very first policy to a customer.

At the time, life insurance was still a new concept in Japan, and this milestone marked the beginning of a system that would eventually become a major pillar of financial security for families across the country. Life insurance in Japan plays a significant role in household financial planning, and the country has one of the highest insurance participation rates in the world. Many families use life insurance as a way to secure long‑term stability, cover education costs, or prepare for end‑of‑life expenses. Policies are offered by both major domestic insurers and cooperative groups, giving residents a wide range of options—from simple term plans to savings‑oriented whole‑life products.

Because contracts can be detailed and often written in formal Japanese, it’s common for people to rely on trusted agents or multilingual support when choosing a plan. For foreign residents, it’s especially important to check conditions related to residency status, eligibility, and whether benefits remain valid if they move abroad.  Have you life insurance in Japan? How did you go about choosing a policy?