Embracing the “World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan” and beyond

Do you believe the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will be an opportunity for AXA to further showcase AXA’s commitment to the Expo's key themes?

Our participation perfectly aligns with our purpose: to act for human progress by protecting what matters. The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan showcases our positive future. It presents a valuable opportunity for AXA to demonstrate our commitment to our purpose by contributing to the France Pavilion with an immersive experience centered around the theme of Love.

It underscores the Group's commitment to protecting and transmitting heritage, arts, and culture. AXA is committed to making this event a success and providing an exceptional experience during the visit to the France Pavilion through a visual and auditory presentation.

The trio of dancers has created an original performance centered around the theme of Love, highlighting the essence of protecting someone or something dear to us. This concept embodies the metaphor of Akai Ito (Red Thread), which symbolizes the protective bond shared between individuals who genuinely care for one another. This performance was filmed on the terrace of the Centre Pompidou, offering a breathtaking view of Paris, with the support of the IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique), of which AXA is a major patron.

This sponsorship also reflects the Group's deep attachment to Japan, a country where AXA has been present since 1994, with approximately 9,000 employees today.

Do you believe AXA has a growing role and influence within Japanese society through its business activities?

We aim to grow our business while contributing to a more sustainable society. In other words, it is to simultaneously achieve common good and profitable business growth. In Japan, we progress this through our Life Management Consulting (LMC) which provides tailored financial advice to individuals, and Health and Productivity Management (HPM), which supports health and well-being of corporate clients and their employees. Both are embedded in our core business model and reflect our goal to provide unique value beyond insurance products, namely, financial, physical, and mental well-being.

In addition to these advisory services, we actively contribute to local communities through various initiatives to promote social inclusion and build a more resilient society. For instance, we are committed to enhancing financial literacy among students by conducting workshops and seminars that equip them with practical knowledge about managing their finances effectively. In addition, collaborating with the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, we implement disaster risk reduction programs and offer scholarship support to students adversely impacted by natural disasters. In the realm of sports, we have been sponsoring the blind football since 2006, supporting promotional and awareness activities, sending volunteers to tournaments, and fostering a sense of inclusivity. Furthermore, we have assisted hospitalized children, fighting childhood cancer and serious illnesses, through an NPO that dispatches facility dogs to provide companionship and encouragement.

AXA Japan employs approximately 9,000 staff members. Could you please outline AXA Japan's business activities and areas of expertise?

AXA Japan operates across life, health, savings, and property & casualty (P&C) insurance. In 2024 (January to December period), we held the 9th position in both the life & savings and health segments based on annualized new premium. We ranked 4th in the direct P&C market based on gross written premium.

Our business is supported by a multi-channel distribution model serving individual and corporate customers. The broker channel has shown rapid growth in recent years and now accounts for the largest share of our new business. Our proprietary channels include the CCI channel, which maintains strong ties with over 500 chambers of commerce and industry across Japan, and the FA channel (Financial Advisors), which delivers personalized LMC to individuals. Auto insurance is distributed mainly through the direct channel.

What differentiates us is our innovative lead generation models. These include the Mult-Channel Value-Up Program, which leverages 900+ marketing partners to create customer touchpoints through seminars. Additionally, HPM offers workplace wellness support to corporate customers, creating meaningful value for our customers while deepening business relationships. We are also promoting safe driving to prevent or reduce auto accidents.

What do you consider to be your most significant challenges ahead? What major news and initiatives can we expect in 2025 from AXA Japan in the sustainability sphere?

Japan's ageing population presents a unique set of challenges for the insurance industry as a whole. As one of the most aged societies in the world, with increasing life expectancy and rising healthcare needs, there is a growing demand for insurance products that offer both long-term health protection and financial security.

AXA Japan has continuously focused on unit-linked products that combine health protection with investment features to meet these evolving needs. These solutions have become increasingly relevant for customers preparing for longer retirements or managing risks.

As Japan continues to face the challenges of an ageing society, AXA Japan remains committed to delivering solutions that support long-term financial security and well-being.

In terms of environmental efforts, in line with the group investment strategy announced last year, AXA Japan has set a goal to invest at least 200 million euros, approximately 32 billion yen, annually in transition finance. We will seek opportunities in various asset classes, such as bonds, including climate transition bonds issued by the Japanese government, real estate, and private investment.

One of our green investments is the Lilac Square, a high environmental performance complex building scheduled for completion in June this year in Sapporo City, Hokkaido. In collaboration with Sapporo City to promote regional vitalization, we are currently attracting high-quality tenants, including the InterContinental Hotel. AXA Japan’s Sapporo headquarters office, which is also critical for our BCP strategy, as well as all sales offices in Sapporo, are scheduled to move into this building this autumn.

AXA Japan will continue undertaking various initiatives this year, so please look forward to our future endeavors.