Our 120-year heritage
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (SJII) is one of Japan’s leading insurance service providers, with a history stretching back to 1888. In October 2008, SJII commemorated the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Tokyo Fire Insurance Company - a forerunner of the former Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company Limited and the first property insurance company in Japan. The "Tokyo Fire Fire-fighting Squad", which was run by the Tokyo Fire Insurance Company was the only private fire brigade recognized by the Japanese government at that time. Each fire-fighting team consisted of about 30 members, who rushed to extinguish fires at customers’ premises and risked their life in their jobs, earning the trust of the customers as the "insurance fire brigade."
The former Nissan Fire and Marine began its operation as Japan’s first personal accident insurance company "Nippon Shougai Hoken" in 1911 under the leadership of Kiyosuke Awatsu, one of the pioneering insurance academics in Japan.
Since those early days as insurance pioneers in Japan, we have dedicated ourselves to offering "security", the true value of insurance, as our service to society. Our customer-oriented philosophy and the pioneering spirit established in the early days of Tokyo Fire Insurance and Nippon Shougai Hoken are legacies still honoured by Sompo Japan, a tradition that is dear to our heart, and one to be fostered and handed down to future generations of our group.
Today, SJII has offices and subsidiaries in 29 countries outside of Japan, providing a broad range of risk and asset management solutions under a customer-focused philosophy enshrined in our 5 "S"s-Service, not sales; Shareholder value; Set and stick to high targets; Stimulating work environment, and Spirit of Fairness".
Carrying forward our 120 years of history, the Sompo Japan Group is embarking upon a future path of growth as a leading provider of risk and asset management products.
Our presence in Europe
Our first transactions in Europe dates back to 1904 when we appointed Budd, Budd & Edenbrough, a Lloyd's broker at that time, as our underwriting agent.
| Year |
Timeline of Sompo Japan Group activities in Europe |
| 1904 |
Yasuda Fire and Marine (YFM) began business in London via Budd, Budd and Edenbrough (Lloyd's Broker) |
| 1925 |
YFM began business in France through underwriting agent B.W.Noble, Ltd (Paris) |
| 1955 |
Nissan Fire and Marine (NFM) opened London Representative Office |
| 1958 |
YFM opened London Representative Office |
| 1963 |
YFM began underwriting business at London Office |
| 1964 |
YFM began business in the former West Germany via Nordsterm Allgemeine Versichenungs-A.G. |
| 1965 |
YFM began business in the Netherlands via Tulleners and Brummer |
| 1966 |
YFM began business in Belgium via E.G. Bouton |
| 1969 |
YFM opened Dusseldorf Liaison office |
| 1972 |
YFM began business in Norway; NFM began underwriting business at London Office |
| 1973 |
The Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company (U.K.) Limited established as a subsidiary in the UK |
| 1974 |
YFM opened Brussels Liaison Office |
| 1983 |
YFM opened Paris Liaison Office |
| 1986 |
The Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company (U.K.) Limited changed its name to Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Europe Limited |
| 1988 |
YFM opened Barcelona Liaison Office |
| 1990 |
YFM opened Amsterdam Liaison Office and Milan Liaison Office;
Nissan Insurance Company of Europe Limited (NICEL) established in the UK |
| 1994 |
Yasuda Kasai Insurance Company of Europe Limited (YKE) established in the UK |
| 1995 |
YKE acquired a European Single License (first among Japanese insurers) and established branches in Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain |
| 2002 |
YKE changed its name to Sompo Japan Insurance Company of Europe Limited following the merger of YFM and NFM in Japan |