INSURANCE BUSINESS LAW (effective 1 April 1996)
The following is an English summary of some of the main points of the new Insurance Business Law which became effective on 1 April 1996. The previous law of 1940 was revised as part of the comprehensive reform of the Japanese insurance system.
The revisions was based on three principles,i.e.
promoting competition and enhancing efficiency through deregulation and liberalization
preserving soundness of business, and
ensuring fairness and equity in business operations.
The following are provided for in the new Insurance Business Law:
mutual entry between the life and the non-life insurance businesses,
introduction ofa notification system for certain products and premium rates,
introduction of an insurance brokerage system,
introduction of solvency margin standards, and
establishment of a Policyholders' Protection Fund.
The following summary is made by Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. based on information provided by the Marine and Fire Insurance Association of Japan, Inc. and the Life Insurance Association of Japan and does not attempt to provide a complete translation. Reference to the relevant articles of the Japanese original are provided in brackets.
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Objectives (Article 1)
Definition (Article 2)
License (Article 3)
Application Procedures for a License
Examination Criteria for a License (Article 5)
Amount of Capital or Foundation Fund (Article 6)
Stock or Mutual Company carrying on Insurance Business (Articles 9 to 96)
Insurance Business (Articles 97 to 100)
Subsidiaries (Articles 106 & 107)
Accounting (Articl ...