The life and pensions market in Japan is the second largest in the world thus offering significant opportunities to those who can capture even small market shares. The slow deregulation of the market is opening up opportunities for foreign insurers, who are taking advantage of the ailing local industry and their experience from international markets to move into new product and distribution areas.

• The market context chapter explores the size and growth of the market, key influences on future growth, and the current distribution landscape.
• The report provides an overview of the distribution landscape in Japan.
• The report describes the current state of bancassurance in Japan and discusses the reasons for its recent growth.
• The report explores whether bancassurance can grow further and which products are likely to be the future success stories.

The sheer size of the market coupled with the demographic changes which are driving the need for private sector solutions make the Japanese market an attractive proposition for foreign insurers looking at new territories. Those who can capture even a small share of the world's second largest market will be able to generate significant income.

Whilst domestic insures have struggled to maintain premium income in the face of poor economic conditions, foreign insurers have taken advantage; deregulation has significantly reduced demand for conventional death-security-type products and increased demand for health-protection-type products, which foreign insurers are well place to capture.

Forecasts suggest that the market for annuities will continue to grow. This places the foreign insurers in a very strong position to capture more business in Japan. Leveraging group resources means that foreign insurers are able to bring best practice to the Japanese market.

• Find out where the current opportunities are in one of the world's largest markets.
• Identify the best market entry strategies in order to ensure success.
• Find out which business model will work best going forward