Translation guide
A type of life insurance offered through the postal service in Japan, known as 簡易保険 (kan'i hoken). This guide explains how to refer to this specific system and related concepts in Japanese.
Referring to the life insurance product historically and currently offered by Japan Post.
The standard term for postal life insurance in Japan. Literally 'simple insurance', it refers to the life insurance provided by Japan Post. Note that the system was partially privatized, but the term is still widely understood.
簡易保険に加入しています。
I have postal life insurance.
簡易保険の満期が来た。
My postal life insurance matured.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'post office life insurance'. Useful when clarifying the provider, especially for those unfamiliar with the term 簡易保険.
郵便局の生命保険について教えてください。
Please tell me about post office life insurance.
The current name of the company that took over postal life insurance after privatization: Japan Post Insurance Co., Ltd. Often shortened to かんぽ生命 (Kampo Seimei). Use this when referring to the modern corporate entity.
かんぽ生命の保険に入るか迷っています。
I'm considering whether to get insurance from Japan Post Insurance.
Explaining the idea of postal life insurance in a broader or international context.
A neutral way to describe life insurance provided through the postal system, without assuming the Japanese specific term.
国によっては郵便局を通じた生命保険が一般的です。
In some countries, life insurance through the post office is common.
Historical term referring to life insurance under the former Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Rarely used now, but may appear in older texts.
郵政省の生命保険は簡易保険と呼ばれていた。
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications' life insurance was called simple insurance.
In 2007, Japan Post's insurance services were privatized into Japan Post Insurance Co., Ltd. (株式会社かんぽ生命保険). While 簡易保険 is still understood, かんぽ生命 is the current official name. In casual conversation, 簡易保険 or かんぽ are common.
While historically all post offices offered insurance, today only designated post offices handle かんぽ生命 products. Saying 郵便局の保険 may cause confusion if the specific post office does not provide insurance services.