RECOVERY IN JAPAN HELPS AFLAC

Georgia, US-based supplemental health insurer Aflac has recorded a 14% rise in Q3 profit to $420m, after sales in Japan, which generates three-quarters of Aflac’s revenue, rose for the first time in two years. Aflac had reported that some Japanese customers had been steering clear of medical insurance after several local and foreign insurers were penalised for mispayments on claims. However, sales rose 2.2% year on year to $236m.