HIKESHI DNA 2030 Project Launched

Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (President and CEO: Koji Ishikawa, hereinafter "Sompo Japan") is launching the "HIKESHI DNA 2030 Project" to strengthen its initiatives in disaster prevention and mitigation, aiming to realize "disaster-resilient communities where everyone can live with peace of mind.".

1. Background and Project Objectives

Sompo Japan's predecessor, Tokyo Fire Insurance Co., was founded in 1888 as Japan's first fire insurance company. While being an insurance company, it formed the "Tokyo Fire Brigade," the only private fire brigade officially authorized by the Metropolitan Police Department at the time. During fires, they rushed to the scene with their equipment, risking their lives to protect customers and the community.

In recent years, natural disasters have become more frequent and severe, and the environment and rules surrounding the non-life insurance industry have undergone significant changes. To respond to these changes and become a company truly chosen by customers, we are redefining the "spirit of the firefighters" inherited since our founding as "HIKESHI DNA" and elevating disaster prevention and mitigation into a new culture rooted in Japan as modern-day "HIKESHI" (firefighters).

※Protection Mark: This logo symbolizes the project, representing the determination to protect people's lives [宀 (house)] with our hands [寸 (hand)], and further, it signifies not only our company but also the development of the non-life insurance industry and a declaration to "protect Japan's future" with the red sun rising motif.

2. Project Overview

In this project, we define "HIKESHI" as "protecting people's lives, happiness, and corporate activities in all phases – before, during, and after a disaster – from increasingly severe natural disasters, with the DNA of firefighters in our hearts," and will proceed with the following initiatives.

(1) Provision of Products and Services

We will provide products and services that deliver peace of mind to our customers in all phases – before, during, and after a disaster – from preparedness to prevent disasters, to rapid initial response and insurance payments immediately after a disaster, and to the reconstruction of lost daily lives and businesses.

(2) Initiatives to Improve Regional Resilience

Based on our relationships with municipalities, fire departments, fire brigades, regional financial institutions, and various companies and agents, we will co-create with numerous partners to contribute to improving regional resilience. This includes disseminating disaster prevention information using data and AI, improving disaster preparedness literacy starting with activities to solve regional issues such as the "Disaster Prevention Japan-da Project"*, and strengthening cooperation with fire departments and fire brigades to connect "self-help," "mutual help," and "public help."

*Disaster Prevention Japan-da Project: This is an experiential disaster prevention workshop for children who will lead the future and their guardians, aimed at equipping them with knowledge and safe actions to protect themselves from disasters. It includes activities like creating SOMPO-style "Escape Maps" where participants color-code the time to reach a target evacuation point while looking at a map of their local area.

https://www.sompo-japan.co.jp/csr/environment/eco/bousai/

(3) Branding

We will actively use "HIKESHI DNA" tools and, together with our agents, expand our "HIKESHI" initiatives. At the same time, we will develop various award systems and other promotions to showcase Sompo Japan's corporate stance of inheriting the spirit of firefighters.

3. Future Outlook

Through the "HIKESHI DNA 2030 Project," we will promote co-creation among industry, government, academia, and citizens to create sustainable social value. We aim to enhance Japan's resilience and become a company that truly earns the praise, "It was good to have Sompo Japan. It was good to have SOMPO."

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