Jonathan Malamud Chair	Andrew Conrad Chair	Jonathan Kushner Vice Chair

2008 Committee Description
Focuses on the development of the insurance and insurance-related industries in Japan. Provides input to the Japanese and U.S. governments with regard to the impact of regulatory measures by the Government of Japan on U.S. Insurance and insurance-related companies operating in Japan.

2008 Committee Objectives

• Promote and protect the interests in Japan of U.S. insurance and insurance-related companies by advocating on behalf of those companies to relevant Japanese policymakers.
• Provide timely and relevant briefings to U.S. government officials on issues of concern to the U.S. insurance industry in Japan, including matters relevant to the negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of trade agreements.
• Provide opportunities for the U.S. insurance community in Japan to exchange information and network.

2008 Achievements
Advocacy
Throughout 2008, the Committee actively engaged in dialogue with relevant Japanese government officials and others to help ensure that reforms important to U.S. insurance companies operating in Japan were accomplished in a fair manner consistent with sound regulatory principles.  During the year, we continued to work closely with the U.S. Embassy, USTR, and other relevant U.S. government agencies, keeping them informed of regulatory and business trends as well as industry concerns.
To support these activities, the Committee: held monthly Committee working meetings, produced four viewpoints, seven sets of public comments, one advocacy letter, one deregulation proposal and one presentation, and continued to meet with U.S. and Japanese government officials and industry organizations. We also continued our close cooperation with the European Business Council’s Insurance Committee, including by holding a regularly-scheduled Joint Insurance Meeting.