Foundation
Tsuneta Yano issues “Characteristics of My Company”, a pamphlet explaining the merits of a mutual company, and subsequently establishes Japan's first mutual life insurance company, the Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company.
History
More than a century since the foundation, we continue to take up new challenges for customers and society.
Dai-ichi Life Video Introduciton「Corporate History」
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Corporate History
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1902-Founding Era
Founding and Nationwide Growth of Dai-chi Life as a Mutual Company
Founded in 1902 (Meiji 35) as Japan's first mutual life insurance company. Under the leadership of our founder, TSuneta Yano, we have promoted management based on the principle of reciprocity and have led the industry with innovative initiatives such as the adoption of a “cumulative dividend system, ” in which dividends increase as time passes. In the Taisho era, we moved from a Tokyo-based sales system to a nationwide sales network by introducing a branch system.
By the early Showa period, our high-dividend insurance products gained widespread attention, and our policy volume grew to become one of the largest in the industry. Despite facing severe economic challenges during wartime, our founding philosophy and execution capabilities laid the foundation for our resilience and long-term growth.
Dai-ichi Life begins paying policyholder dividends.
Following the Great Kanto Earthquake, Dai-ichi Life raises customer confidence by making prompt payment of insurance claims to policyholders, despite a payment deferment order issued by the government which allowed financial institutions to delay payments.
The sum insured of policies in-force reaches JPY 1 billion.
Dai-ichi Life becomes the second largest life insurance company in Japan.
Dai-ichi Life establishes the “Hoseikai” foundation, offering facilities for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, the major cause of death in Japan at the time.
The Head Office is moved to its current Tokyo location, which served as the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers (GHQ) following World War II.
1950-Mutual Company Era
Supporting Your Total Life Plan Journey: Consulting That Evolves with Society
After overcoming postwar turmoil, Japan's life insurance industry steadily grew alongside the country's economic expansion, contributing to improved living standards. In response to the diversification of customer needs due to the increase in life expectancy and the trend toward nuclear families, a wide variety of products aimed at both security and asset formation have emerged. During the bubble economy, companies maintained sound management amid financial liberalization. Since the 1990s, the industry has responded to demographic shifts and rising healthcare costs by adopting the “Total Life Plan” concept, offering comprehensive coverage for five major life risks.
Dai-ichi Life establishes the Public Health Award, honoring the efforts of groups and individuals who make outstanding contributions in the field of public health and hygiene.
Presentation ceremony for the
1st Public Health AwardTo expand Dai-ichi Life's support for the life insurance business in Asia, Dai-ichi Life establishes FALIA, The Foundation for the Advancement of Life Insurance in Asia (currently: The Foundation for the Advancement of Life & Insurance Around the world).
Dai-ichi Life‘s first overseas representative office is established in New York to study U.S. insurance, economic, and financial systems as well as to promote international group insurance policies among local subsidiaries of Japanese corporations.
(Currently operates as DLI NORTH AMERICA INC. after strengthening its function as Regional Headquarters.)
Dai-ichi Life's first European representative office is established in London (currently Dai-ichi Life International (Europe) Limited).
Dai-ichi Life establishes Dai-ichi Life International (H.K.) Limited.
(Currently closed after DLI ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD started operation in Singapore.)Together with the organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure, Dai-ichi Life establishes and starts co-hosting The Green Design Award (currently The Green Environmental Plan Award), which commends and subsidizes excellent works to improve urban environments.
Dai-ichi Life completes the DN Tower 21, a new Head Office building in the heart of Tokyo (currently Dai-ichi Life Hibiya First).
Following the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Dai-ichi Life simplifies claims settlement procedures.
Dai-ichi Life raises foundation funds worth JPY 69 billion.
Dai-ichi Life establishes Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc.
Dai-ichi Life proposes the Total Life Plan concept to provide peace of mind throughout customers' lives based on life plans prepared with the customer.
Dai-ichi Life enters into the investment trust business as Dai-ichi Life Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Dai-ichi Life raises additional foundation funds worth JPY 150 billion.
Dai-ichi Life reaches an agreement on total business cooperation with the Industrial Bank of Japan, Ltd. (currently Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.).
Dai-ichi Life and the Industrial Bank of Japan Co., Ltd. establish IBJ-DL Financial Technology Co., Ltd. (currently Mizuho-DL Financial Technology Co., Ltd.).
Dai-ichi Life Asset Management Co., Ltd., IBJ NW Asset Management Co., Ltd. and IBJ Investment Trust Management Co., Ltd. merge to form DLIBJ Asset Management Co., Ltd. (renamed DIAM Co., Ltd. in 2008).
Dai-ichi Life enters into an agreement to form a comprehensive business alliance with the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. (currently Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.) and a strategic marketing alliance with American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (currently AFLAC).
Dai-ichi Life wins the “Japan Quality Award”, the first company in the financial and insurance industry to receive this honor.
Marking a century of insurance and investment achievements, Dai-ichi Life celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
Dai-ichi Life raises additional foundation funds worth JPY 80 billion through public offering using a securitization scheme.
Dai-ichi Life issues subordinated bonds worth JPY 30 billion for public subscription using a securitization scheme.
Dai-ichi Life issues U.S. dollar-denominated subordinated bonds in the global capital market.
Dai-ichi Life raises additional foundation funds worth JPY 60 billion through public offering using a securitization scheme.
Dai-ichi Life raises additional foundation funds worth JPY 60 billion through public offering using a securitization scheme.
Dai-ichi Life acquires Bao Minh CMG, which recommences operations as Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company of Vietnam, Ltd.
Dai-ichi Life's wholly-owned subsidiary, Dai-ichi Frontier Life Insurance Co., Ltd., obtains a license for life insurance business.
Dai-ichi Life concludes a joint-venture contract to establish a joint life insurance company (Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company Limited) with the Bank of India and Union Bank of India.
Dai-ichi Life adopts a plan to demutualize and become a stock company.
Dai-ichi Life concludes an agreement on a strategic business alliance, including the acquisition of shares, with Ocean Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (currently OCEAN LIFE INSURANCE PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED) of Thailand.
(2025: Dai-ichi Life Holdings dissolves its capital alliance with Ocean Life.)Dai-ichi Life enters into an agreement to form a strategic business alliance with TOWER Australia Group Limited (TOWER Australia).
Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company Limited commences sales of its products.
Dai-ichi Life enters into a JPY183 billion syndicated subordinated loan.
The 108th general meeting of representative policyholders approves Dai-ichi Life's demutualization.
2010-Joint-Stock Company Era
Incorporation and Listing
In 2010, Daiichi Life transitioned to a joint-stock company and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This milestone earned the trust of capital markets and enabled the establishment of a highly transparent management structure. It also accelerated business expansion both in Japan and abroad, laying the foundation for entering global markets and developing new financial services alongside traditional insurance operations.
Dai-ichi Life demutualizes and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Dai-ichi Life issues U.S. dollar-denominated perpetual subordinated notes in the global capital market.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, Dai-ichi Life offers aid to the victims and special treatment for the policyholders affected by the earthquake.
Dai-ichi Life successfully acquires 100% ownership of TOWER Australia, and TOWER Australia changes its name to TAL Limited (currently TAL Dai-ichi Life Australia Pty Ltd).
Dai-ichi Life enters into a strategic business and capital alliance with Janus Capital Group Inc., a U.S. asset management company. Janus became an affiliate in 2013.
Janus merged with Henderson Group in 2017, becoming a new company (Janus Henderson Group plc).
(2021: Dai-ichi Life Holdings dissolves its capital alliance with Janus Henderson Group.)Dai-ichi Life acquires shares in PT Panin Life (currently PT Panin Dai-ichi Life), an Indonesian life insurance company, which becomes an affiliate.
Dai-ichi Life adopts “By your side, for life” as group mission for the Dai-ichi Life Group
Dai-ichi Life joins the United Nations Global Compact, the largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative in the world, working towards the vision of a sustainable and inclusive global economy.
Dai-ichi Life concludes an agreement with Protective Life Corporation, a U.S. life insurance group listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the commencement of procedures to acquire 100% ownership of the company.
Dai-ichi Life issues new shares worth JPY 265.6 billion.
Dai-ichi Life successfully acquires 100% ownership of Sompo Japan DIY Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (currently The Neo First Life Insurance Company, Limited).
Dai-ichi Life successfully acquires 100% ownership of Protective Life Corporation.
Dai-ichi Life issues U.S. dollar-denominated subordinated bonds in the global capital market.
North America Regional Headquarters DLI NORTH AMERICA INC. and Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters DLI ASIA PACIFIC PTE.LTD. start operation.
2016-Holding Company Structure
Transition to a Holding Company and Strategic Expansion
Under the holding company structure, Daiichi Life Group has maximized the strengths of its domestic and international businesses. We have accelerated digital transformation (DX) and strengthened our response to social challenges. This foundation has enabled us to expand into global markets and explore new business areas beyond insurance, driving sustainable growth and value creation. By leveraging group-wide synergies, we are building a strategic business platform for the next generation.
Dai-ichi Life enters into a strategic business alliance with Japan Post Insurance Co., Ltd.
DIAM Co., Ltd., Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd., Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. and Shinko Asset Management Co., Ltd., merge to form Asset Management One, Co., Ltd.
Dai-ichi Life shifts to a Holding Company Structure.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings establishes QOLead Co., Ltd.
Dai-ichi Life Insurance (Cambodia) PLC., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., begins operations.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings establishes Dai-ichi Life Realty Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Dai-ichi Smart Small-amount and Short-term Insurance Company, Limited is established.
Dai-ichi Life Insurance Myanmar Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., begins operations.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings establishes Vertex Investment Solutions Co., Ltd.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings successfully acquires 100% ownership of Partners Group Holdings Limited.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings successfully acquires 100% ownership of ipet Holdings, Inc. (currently ipet Insurance Co., Ltd.).
The Dai-ichi Life Group adopts “Partnering with you to build a brighter and more secure future” as its Group Purpose.
Dai-ichi Life Holdings successfully acquires 100% ownership of Benefit One, Inc.
2026-Group Brand Renewal
From Protecting Life to Empowering Life “Daiichi Life Group”
The company has expanded its business domain from life insurance to asset formation and succession, as well as non-insurance businesses. As we evolve our business to be an “insurance service provider” which is not limited to the life insurance domain, and by transforming ourselves into a company that stays close to each individual and opens up the possibilities of “life”, we aim to achieve significant growth into an “insurance group that ranks among the global top tier”. In this context, we will change our trade name to “Daiichi Life Group, Inc.” In line with the change of our trade name, the group brand name will be “Daiichi Life”
Group Brand Rename
Group Brand Renamed to Daiichi Life Group, Inc.
