Nikkei Trendy Announces 'Insurance Awards 2026'. Know Which Insurance to 'Review' Amid Changing Medical Care Systems and Rising Long-Term Interest Rates

Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Tetsuya Iguchi) announced the 'Insurance Awards 2026' in the May 2026 issue of 'Nikkei Trendy', a trend information magazine that stimulates personal life, released on April 3, 2026. Targeting 7 categories of insurance products, including 'cancer insurance' and 'medical insurance', it selected the 'Grand Prize', 'Excellence Award', and 'Unique Award'.

Evaluating 7 Categories of Insurance Products: A Guide for 'Reviewing'
The 'Insurance Awards' is a popular feature that compares and evaluates the products of each insurance company by category, based on interviews with experts. Driven by the progression of the declining birthrate and aging population, and the accompanying changes in medical systems, the content of insurance products is updated almost every year. This feature thoroughly compares the coverage and premiums of various insurance products, serving as a reference when consumers decide to 'review' their policies.

The 'Insurance Awards 2026' covers 7 categories that attract particularly high consumer attention and where product 'improvements' are noticeable: 'cancer insurance', 'medical insurance', 'disability income insurance', 'income protection insurance', 'yen-denominated single premium insurance', 'fire insurance', and 'pet insurance'. Products judged by the editorial department to offer the greatest benefits in each category were awarded the 'Grand Prize', with runners-up receiving the 'Excellence Award'. Additionally, insurance products with distinctive and useful features were selected for the 'Unique Award'.

Details can be read in the May 2026 issue of 'Nikkei Trendy' (https://info.nikkeibp.co.jp/media/TRE/).

2026 is the Perfect Time to Review Insurance
In 2026, the circumstances surrounding insurance have changed drastically. It can be said that this is the perfect time to review the insurance you are enrolled in.

POINT 1: Prepare for Phased Changes in the High-Cost Medical Care Benefit System
Although the review of the high-cost medical care benefit system was once retracted in March 2025, a basic policy to phase in higher out-of-pocket limits was decided in December of the same year. The increase in the upper limit will begin in August 2026, and in August 2027, the income categories are scheduled to be subdivided and the upper limits raised further. It would be wise to prepare by enrolling in medical insurance.

POINT 2: Adapting to a 'World with Interest Rates'
Since the negative interest rate policy was lifted in March 2024, long-term interest rates have continued to rise, reaching 2.26% in March 2026. Due to this impact, the popularity of yen-denominated savings-type insurance has recovered. It can serve as a death benefit and be used like bonds for asset formation. There are principal-guaranteed products that offer a return rate of 124% after 10 years.