Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance has appointed Hiroshi Umiyama as its new president and chief executive, effective 1 April 2026, as the insurer accelerates preparations for its merger with sister company Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance by April 2027, the company announced.
Umiyama, currently a senior executive officer, will replace Shinichiro Funabiki. Funabiki will assume the role of chairman at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, while retaining his position as president and CEO of parent MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings. Meanwhile, Noriyuki Hara will step down as chairman of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance but will remain on the board as a director.
The series of executive changes includes adjustments to international and sustainability roles, as the group seeks to streamline governance and reinforce compliance in the wake of recent industry-wide misconduct cases.
MS&AD announced the merger in March 2025, a deal that will create Japan’s largest non-life insurer by premium volume, overtaking market leader Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance.
The combined business will operate under the name Mitsui Sumitomo Aioi Insurance Company, Limited. Integration work is already underway across systems, operations and management as the group positions the merger as a cornerstone of its domestic strategy.
MS&AD also said it plans to cut the number of domestic operating bases from about 360 to roughly 240 by the time the merger is completed.
