The Group is committed to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as the management platform for promoting its Mid-term Business Plan. Specifically, we will be constantly aware of the relationship between "risk," "capital" and "profit," and by realizing "capital adequacy" and "high profitability" in relation to risk, we will strive to achieve sustainable growth of corporate value.
In regard to capital adequacy, we are targeting a capital level that will maintain an AA credit rating. As for profitability, we aim to realize capital efficiency that exceeds cost of capital*1 (7%), and we intend to target return on equity (ROE) of approximately 12% in the medium to long term.
Based on ERM, the Group aims to achieve "growth and stable high earnings" by transforming our business model through digital strategies, improving the profitability of our core insurance business, and pursuing group synergies, while maintaining financial soundness. We also aim to apply the profits and capital generated to effective use, such as business investments and enhancing shareholder returns, to lead it to further growth.
- *1 Cost of capital is the profit margin investors expect from investees. The Group calculates cost of capital based on the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and uses this figure to determine growth indicators and make business investment decisions.
The Group goes beyond conventional risk management, which only aims at preventing and mitigating risks, to perform the quantitative and qualitative monitoring of risks in order to appropriately control risks, capital, and profits Groupwide through the effective utilization of risk information.
The following information include forward-looking projections which were determined as of the date of submission of our FY 2021 securities report (available only in Japanese).
(1) Qualitative Risk Management
With regard to qualitative risk management, the Company has a system in place to comprehensively identify and report all risks to management, including "emerging risks" that may occur as a result of changes in the environment and other factors. The risks faced by the Group are discussed at the management level when necessary.
Through this process the Company makes comprehensive assessments of risks not limited to factors such as financial damages or frequency, but it also adds factors such as business continuity and reputation. Those risks that seriously impact the financial soundness, business continuity of the entire Group or its Group companies are defined as "material risks."
Identifying Emerging Risks and the Process of Determining Material Risks
![[Emerging risks] New risks that appear as a result of factors such as changes in the environment, risks that have previously not been acknowledged as risks, or risks whose severity has significantly increased. Candidates for "emerging risks" to Group: Emerging risks identified in the previous year, or its candidates. Emerging risks for business units or major Group companies. Risks newly identified as candidates for emerging risks. Screening: Screening based on impact, state of readiness, and the increase of risk. → "Emerging risks" to the Group | [Material risks] Risks that will have a major impact on financial soundness, business continuity, etc. Candidates for "material risks" to the Group: Group’s material risks from the previous year. Group’s emerging risks that have major impact. Identify risks by matrix evaluation: Identify risks by the matrix evaluation of "Scale of damage" x "frequency and possibility" → "Material risks" to the Group](/en/ir/financial/images/img_risk_02.png)
Examples of Emerging Risks
Emerging risks | Assumptive scenarios |
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Intensifying competition for human resources | Intensifying competition for human resources with the latest IT and AI skills and talented new graduates; loss of talent and difficulty in replacing them due to the more divers work patterns or other factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Risk of uncontrollability of innovative new technologies | Occurrence or increase of damage or accidents involving third parties at insured companies due to inadequate controls over innovative new technologies. |
Innovations in medicine and biotechnology | Increase in medical claim costs due to innovations in cancer diagnosis and genetic diagnosis technologies causing adverse selections. |
Risks related to the global protection of human rights | Unintentional violations of stakeholders’ human rights due to increased global awareness of human rights and economic security measures, resulting in reputational damage and restrictions on business operations in some countries and regions. |
Material Risks for Fiscal 2022 and Assumptive Scenarios
Material risks | Assumptive scenarios |
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Domestic or overseas economic crisis, chaos in financial and capital markets |
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Loss of confidence in JGBs | Japanese government bonds plummet in value due to a decline in the government’s creditworthiness, and the value of the Group’s assets falls substantially. |
Major earthquakes |
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Major wind and flood disasters*2 |
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Volcano eruptions | Massive volcanic ash fallout is caused by a major eruption of Mt. Fuji, causing issues such as widespread transportation network disruptions, power outages, and communication interference, paralyzing Tokyo’s capital city functions. This also results in significant impact on the Group's business continuity, as well as a substantial fall in the value of the Group's assets. |
Pandemics |
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Transformation of industrial structure due to new innovative technologies |
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Cyber risk |
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Terrorism and riots | Major acts of terrorism and/or riots occur near main Group company locations, resulting in serious impact on the Group's business continuity. |
Conduct risk | The practices of the Group and the insurance industry deviate from societal norms and are regarded as inappropriate corporate behavior, and corporate value is damaged by the emergence of reputational risk. |
Violation of laws and regulations | The Group's transactions violate domestic or overseas laws or regulations, forcing payment of significant fines or settlement fees to regulatory authorities. In addition, the emergence of reputational risk harms corporate value. |
- *2:The effects of climate change could cause more frequent and severe disasters.
(2) Quantitative Risk Management
In quantitative risk management, the Company measures risk amounts and conducts stress tests using risk models based on the latest knowledge available, verifying from multiple perspectives that its capital is sufficient relative to the risks it holds, with the aim of maintaining its credit ratings and preventing bankruptcy.
Specifically, the Company quantifies potential risks using a statistical metric called "Value at Risk (VaR)" on a 99.95% confidence level, which corresponds to an AA credit rating, and verifies its capital adequacy based on the Economic Solvency Ratio (ESR) arrived at by dividing net asset value*3 by risk capital. The Company also determines the capital policy by comprehensively considering business investment opportunities and future market conditions.
The Group has set its ESR target range at 100 to 140%. As of March 31, 2022, the ESR is 128%, indicating that the Group’s level of capital is adequate.
Furthermore, among the “material risks” identified in the qualitative
risk management, stress scenarios are assumed for scenarios where economic losses are expected to be extremely large, specifically, “economic events” and “insurance losses from natural disasters or other causes.” Stress tests are also conducted for spillover losses when these risks occur, and for combined risks where multiple material risks occur simultaneously. Stress tests are also used to verify business continuity and to confirm that there are no issues regarding capital adequacy and liquidity of funds.
- *3 Net asset value: Calculated by adding the value of catastrophe loss reserves,deducting for goodwill, and making other adjustments to consolidated net assets on a financial accounting basis.
Status of Economic Solvency Ratio (ESR)

Note:Risk is quantified using a model based on 99.95% VaR (corresponds to an AA credit rating)
(3) Formulation of BCP (Business Continuity Plan)
We have formulated a disaster BCP and conduct regular training to ensure continuance of critical operations and quick recoveries from the event of a large-scale disaster.