From Cautious Follower to Leading Responsible AI in Insurance

Whitepaper by Ichun Lai

The insurance industry is at a crucial juncture. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly capable of handling complex real-world workflows with advances such as agentic AI autonomously orchestrating multi-step tasks, and model context protocol (MCP) allowing AI models to connect with external tools and data sources. This creates significant opportunities while adding urgency to accelerate modernization, particularly in Japan, due to an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and evolving customer expectations.

Drawing on interviews with senior executives and industry experts as well as independent research, this whitepaper explores how Japan’s insurance sector can leverage AI to accelerate modernization while turning cultural and legacy challenges into leading models of responsible AI adoption.