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Q
Two major milestones in Aflac’s history are closely tied:
Aflac Japan’s 40
th
anniversary in 2014 and the upcoming
60
th
anniversary of Aflac’s founding in 2015. As you reflect
on the experiences leading up to these milestones, what
events and memories stand out most in your mind?
A
Not only are the United States and Japan the largest
insurance markets in the world, but I believe they have been,
and remain, well-suited to our products. Looking back, the
thrill of our success in both the United States and Japan has
simply never faded. Aflac’s 40 years in Japan and nearly 60
years in the United States speaks volumes about the success
of, and need for, our products. I often think back on our early
days in the United States and the personal sacrifices and
financial obstacles that our founders had to overcome. And
I recall our modest start in Japan as we worked to obtain
our insurance license and bridge the cultural and language
differences we faced. But in both markets, we started with
products that help consumers, and we believed in the
value of those products. This belief has not changed in the
slightest. When I reflect back on our years in both countries,
what stands out in my mind isn’t related to numbers or
years – it’s the fact that Aflac’s products have helped so
many people.
Q
From a policyholder perspective, how do Aflac products
add value?
A
Whether we’re talking about Japan or the United States,
getting cash in the hands of our policyholders is important
because we know that when someone files a claim, they
are often facing a very difficult time of their life. I have often
said that Aflac has been in the business of paying claims,
not denying them. In the United States, we introduced our
One Day Pay
SM
claims initiative in February 2015. One Day
Pay focuses on the speed of claims payments and is simply
the natural evolution of how we’ve always done business:
paying claims fairly and promptly – and now even faster.
A claim paid through One Day Pay means we “process,
approve and pay a claim in just one day,” which allows us
to help lift our policyholders’ financial burden quickly and
allows them to focus on healing. We continue to proudly
stand behind the fact that with One Day Pay, no one
processes and pays claims faster than Aflac. Just like in the
U.S., Aflac Japan focuses on providing valuable products
as well as timely, accurate claims payments. Aflac Japan is
the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and
insures one in four households, which affirms our reputation
as a strong product innovator and trusted brand.
Q
How important is it to be a good corporate citizen?
A
It’s very important. I was brought up with the philosophy that
a company can thrive in the modern business world while
also giving back to the community and treating people with
respect. It’s part of living the Aflac legacy both as a company
and as individuals, and it’s part of what we call “the Aflac
Way.” Obviously, it’s impossible to operate in a vacuum.
Our businesses in the United States and Japan are closely
tied to their surrounding communities. So, from a practical
standpoint, it makes sense to give back to the community.
That’s why we’ve been so passionate and active in fighting
childhood cancer and supporting cancer research. In 1995,
we began our partnership with the Aflac Cancer Center
and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of
Atlanta. Since that time, our treasured partnership has
grown larger and more meaningful than I could have ever
A CONVERSATION WITH AFLAC CHAIRMAN AND CEO
DAN AMOS
6