#Japan #Tokyo #KKR #Kampo Life #Hoken Minna Group

Kampo Life's Strategic Investment in Hoken Minna Group

On March 31, 2026, Kampo Life Insurance, a prominent insurance provider in Japan, announced its minority investment in Hoken Minna Group, a major insurance agency operating under the global investment firm KKR. This move signifies a deeper commitment to enhancing the insurance landscape in Japan, given Hoken Minna Group's unique business model that combines shops and call centers, positioning it as one of the largest insurance agencies nationwide.

The investment is set to support Hoken Minna Group's strategies for both organic and inorganic growth, with the goal of expanding its insurance platform in Japan. It is anticipated that the collaboration will leverage the operational expertise of Kampo Life—especially in customer service and insurance offerings—to foster new opportunities for cooperation between the two entities. A notable initiative includes the launch of a new call center service by Kampo Life starting in April 2026, supported by Hoken Minna Group.

Kubo Tanigaki, the President and CEO of Kampo Life, expressed enthusiasm regarding this partnership, noting, "Hoken Minna Group has a distinguished business model that integrates shops and call centers, making it a highly competitive player among domestic insurance agencies. Collaborating with a company that blends growth potential with innovation is an extremely valuable opportunity for Kampo Life to enhance its primary channel through the postal network and achieve sustainable growth. This investment further deepens our partnership with KKR, established in 2023, creating a win-win relationship involving all three parties through collaborative initiatives like the call center."

Tomoki Usui, the President and Group CEO of Hoken Minna Group, also shared his positive views on the investment, highlighting the strong partnership that extends beyond financial resources to encompass business collaboration. He stated, "We are excited to establish a robust partnership with Kampo Life Insurance, which strengthens our capabilities to improve service quality and enhance our risk management systems. This funding will accelerate our growth rate in conjunction with Kampo Life and KKR, as we continuously strive to provide sustainable value to our customers and society, thus enhancing our corporate value."

Hirofumi Hirano, Deputy Representative of KKR Asia and President of KKR Japan, commented, "Kampo Life’s venture into Hoken Minna Group signifies our solid belief in the unique platform and high growth potential of the group. With Kampo Life’s support and strategic collaboration, we expect to see further expansion of Hoken Minna’s platform throughout Japan. We are also delighted to strengthen our relationship with Kampo Life through Hoken Minna Group."

This investment arrives on the heels of KKR’s previous announcement of its acquisition of Hoken Minna Group through its operational fund to accelerate growth strategies and create new value for the agency. Moreover, on the same date, Hoken Minna Group disclosed its completion of the acquisition of ETERNAL, a company operating over 40 insurance shops named "Hoken Terrace" across major metropolitan areas, marking another significant milestone.

Kampo Life, established within the Japan Post Group following its privatization in 2007, specializes in a broad array of life insurance products, including whole and endowment life insurance. It leverages its extensive postal network to deliver both individual and corporate insurance solutions.

Hoken Minna Group stands as one of Japan's largest insurance agency networks, operating an omnichannel model that encompasses shops, call centers, and online platforms. With a vision to be a life support platform for the century-long lifespan, the group aims to provide peace of mind and prosperity while addressing various customer needs, including housing loans and care consultation services.

KKR operates as a global investment firm specializing in alternative assets and solutions, focusing on long-term and disciplined investment approaches to support portfolio companies and communities. Its efforts are directed toward generating attractive investment returns while being a sponsor for funds investing in private equity, credit, and real assets.

In conclusion, this strategic investment by Kampo Life in Hoken Minna Group marks a significant step toward enhancing their capabilities in the insurance market, adding value to customers while ensuring sustained growth for both companies involved.