Responding to outside pressure

J apan’s non-life insurance industry continues to struggle in the face of market liberalisation, a stagnant local economy and increased competition. The latest report on the market by the Marine & Fire Insurance Association of Japan published last month suggests the country’s 34 domestic non-life insurers recorded reduced premiums, a lower underwriting loss and a net deficit for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2000. WIR looks at the position of Japanese insurers as they adjust to rapidly changing conditions in both the Japanese and international markets*.