Japan News

U.S. Analyst: China May Be ‘Likely Bright Spot’ in Asia Climate Action

The outcome of U.N. climate talks in Mexico this month should boost steps in Asia to curb greenhouse gas emissions, with China a likely bright spot in 2011, a senior analyst at a leading U.S. think tank said. The talks …

Best Affirms Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance ‘A+ Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa” of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI), as well as the FSR of ‘A+’ (Superior) and ICR of “aa” …

Flagstone Re Places $210 Million Cat Bond Using RMS Paradex Indices

Flagstone Reassurance Suisse SA and Risk Management Solutions have announced the successful placement of $210 million of multi-peril Montana Re 2010-1 Notes, the second offering sponsored through the Montana Re shelf program. RMS noted that it had “conducted the expert …

Japan’s Dai-ichi Life to Take over Australia’s Tower Group for $1.2 Billion

Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co said it would buy the shares it does not already own in Tower Australia Group Ltd for 99.6 billion yen ($1.2 billion) as it seeks expansion overseas. Japan’s No.2 life insurer said it would pay …

Ratings Roudup: PMG (Sony), Qatar General, Al Ittihad

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Bermuda-based PMG Assurance Ltd., both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect PMG’s “excellent capitalization, historically strong operating performance and …

AXA Appoints Droesch as CEO – Gulf Region

The French-based AXA Group has appointed Jérôme Droesch as CEO for the Gulf region. He was previously Regional CEO for the South-West region of AXA France, and replaces Jean-Louis Laurent Josi, who has been named CEO of AXA Japan. Droesch, …

Cancun Climate Talks End with Modest Steps, No Kyoto Deal

The world’s governments agreed Saturday to modest steps to combat climate change and to give more money to poor countries, but they put off until next year tough decisions on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The deal includes a Green Climate …

RMS Conducts Risk Analysis for SCOR’s Atlas VI Cat Bonds

Risk Management Solutions announced that it has successfully conducted the expert risk analysis for the second issuance of the Atlas VI bond (Series 2010-I Class A Notes) sponsored by French reinsurer SCOR Group. The issuance was “upsized during marketing to …

UN Secretary General Urges Climate Agreement ‘Short of Perfect Deal’

Saying the health of the planet is at stake, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged 190 nations meeting in Mexico on Tuesday to agree to steps to fight climate change that fall short of a perfect deal. “We cannot let the …

Swiss Re’s Economic Forum Sees Continued Growth, Pressure and Risks

Swiss Re’s Economic Forum singled out three main factors that will continue to affect the re/insurance market in 2011. The Forum’s economists forecast “continued global economic expansion in 2011, led by emerging markets; insurers’ profitability will remain under pressure amid …