As the insurance arm of the JA Group, an organisation consisting of agricultural co-operatives, Zenkyoren plays a critical role in safeguarding the livelihoods of approximately 10 million members through local agricultural cooperatives. Its coverage spans life, home, and auto insurance, with a distinct emphasis on comprehensive protection against natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, which pose the most significant risk in Japan.
The mutual aid system was first conceptualised to provide reassurance and satisfaction to members by supporting them within their local communities. This spirit remains at the heart of Zenkyoren’s mission today, especially as rural populations age and communities face depopulation.
Responding to climate risk and natural disasters
In recent years, Japan has seen an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, including typhoons and earthquakes. Zenkyoren’s flagship insurance product includes cover for building damage as well as fire, typhoon, and earthquake-related losses. Due to the sheer scale of earthquake risk, the coverage amount for such events is set at half that provided for fire damage.
Historical precedents, such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, have underscored the vital role of cooperative insurers in community recovery. The payments made by Zenkyoren following the 2011 disaster notably rivalled those of Japan’s non-life insurers combined, underlining its capacity to support recovery at scale and deliver community-based assistance effectively.
Currently, Zenkyoren manages 9 million contracts, with a coverage value exceeding 130 trillion Japanese yen (around 890 billion US dollars). These figures reflect not only its national significance but also the scale of trust placed in the organisation by its members.
Building resilient communities
Zenkyoren has developed a comprehensive disaster response framework designed to address three main stages: emergency assistance, recovery of daily and agricultural life, and long-term community resilience.
Immediately following disasters, local members mobilise to provide emergency meals and distribute rain prevention sheets to affected policyholders. These efforts mitigate secondary damage and support basic needs. Simultaneously, JA Group teams are deployed to clear debris, restore farmland, and hold farmers’ markets to support affected agricultural communities.
In terms of long-term mitigation, Zenkyoren has invested in education and preparedness, including disaster prevention classes using VR-based earthquake simulators. These programmes raise awareness and foster preparedness among residents, helping communities respond more effectively when disasters strike.
Zenkyoren also utilises digital tools such as real-time disaster alert emails and evacuation mapping systems. These tools are particularly critical in earthquake and tsunami-prone areas, where rapid evacuation can mean the difference between life and death.
Lessons from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
The earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on 1 January 2024 highlighted the vulnerability of ageing rural populations and the need for robust disaster response systems. The region, a UNESCO-recognised agricultural heritage site, suffered extensive damage including structural collapse, landslides, and fires exacerbated by water outages.
Zenkyoren responded swiftly by establishing a disaster response headquarters on the same day. More than 1,200 staff were mobilised to conduct door-to-door damage assessments, using tablets and satellite imagery to accelerate claims processing. Of the 151 billion yen paid out in claims, 89% reached policyholders within six months—a testament to the company’s efficiency and preparedness.
Evolving with community needs
The disaster also exposed critical issues: outdated housing built to pre-1981 standards, difficulty in contacting elderly policyholders, and the need to involve family members in claims processing. In response, Zenkyoren upgraded its mobile application, integrating features such as evacuation maps, contract verification, and family contact details. This allows members to manage their insurance even in the absence of physical documents, providing reassurance during evacuations.
Zenkyoren’s focus is now on strengthening its connections not just with individual members, but also with their families, reinforcing its role as a community-first insurer.
A global vision for mutual aid
Looking ahead, Zenkyoren aims to expand its collaborative reach beyond Japan. In conjunction with the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, the company is launching a new initiative to explore reinsurance partnerships with fellow mutual and cooperative insurers globally. Plans are underway to establish a reinsurance subsidiary by 2026, providing capacity to like-minded organisations within the cooperative sector.
This initiative represents a significant step towards global solidarity in the face of shared risks, demonstrating how a deeply local mutual aid system can adapt, innovate, and extend its values worldwide.
