Stance on Promoting Responsible Investment

With customers throughout Japan, Dai-ichi Life is a "universal owner" of a wide range of assets, and recognizes the need to conduct investments with consideration to a variety of stakeholders. Our goal is thus to promote responsible investment (including sustainable investment and stewardship activities) as a priority in increasing the sophistication of our asset management, and to balance obtaining medium- to long-term returns with solving social issues.

Dai-ichi Life's responsible investment consists of sustainable investment that seeks both to gain better returns and solve social challenges, and Stewardship Activities that aim to improve the corporate value of our investee companies. Dai-ichi Life systematically implements Sustainable Investment and Stewardship Activities, respectively governed by the Sustainable Investment Policy and Stewardship Activities Policy.

Dai-ichi Life has established the Responsible Investment Committee and Responsible Investment Meeting to promote both the discussion of initiatives related to responsible investment from various perspectives and to increase the sophistication of such efforts.
Its policies of responsible investment are formulated based on deliberations at the Responsible Investment Committee-the majority of which consists of external members-and especially important matters are reported to the Board of Directors and Executive Management Board. In addition, Dai-ichi Life monitors and discusses the progress of initiatives promoted by entire investment department through the Responsible Investment Meetings attended by members involved in responsible investment.

The majority of the members of the Responsible Investment Committee are external experts with extensive knowledge in management strategy, governance, sustainable investment, and a variety of other subjects enabling a system that reflects broad external opinions in the Committee.
In addition to external experts, Dai-ichi Life appoints officers in charge of compliance to the committee as members to deliberate and confirm important policies on responsible investment, exercising voting rights on important resolutions and other matters by from a stance fully addressing any conflicts of interest in life insurance contracts.

• *1 Verified there were no problems with exercise of judgement at departments responsible for managing conflicts of interest

In the 2025 PRI Assessment, we received the highest rating of 5 stars in our scoring categories of "Policy, Governance, and Strategy" and "confidence-Building Measures". Based on the assessment results, we will further improve our responsible investment.

This award was established by the Ministry of the Environment to assess, recognize, and share initiatives through which financial institutions, companies, etc. prioritize ESG finance and green projects that have a significant positive impact on the environment and society.
Dai-ichi Life won the Gold Prize three times, the 1st year of the award in FY2019, the 4th year in FY2022, and in FY2024.

【Reasons for the selection】

• Dai-ichi Life has served as Chairperson of GFANZ Japan Consulting Group and other positions, contributing to the sound development of sustainable finance in Japan from an international perspective and working to implement global standards in Japan.
• Dai-ichi Life Group top management is committed to employee education through open participation in the Group Sustainability Committee, the prioritization of engagement, and ensuring a corporate structure that enhances engagement.
• Dai-ichi Life has strict policies for the determination of investments considering GHG emissions reductions for society and carbon lock-in.

Minister Asao (left) and President Sumino holding a trophy
(Dai-ichi Life Insurance)

 

• * Served as the chair company of the Financial Committee of the Life Insurance Association of Japan, participating and speaking at related meetings.