An Actuary Like Me – Hiroshi Shoji
I am proud to be an actuary because actuaries play an important role, especially in our life insurance company.
Hiroshi Shoji has been working for Dai-Ichi-Life for 35 years as an actuary. He is the immediate Past President of the Institute of Actuaries of Japan (from Apr. 2019 to Mar. 2022). and is the Chair of the ICA 2026 Organising Committee.
Why are you proud to be an actuary?
Actuaries play an important role, especially in our life insurance company.
What is the most valuable skill an actuary can possess?
To see the future trend and tell such views to non-actuaries, so they can understand easily.
What is your advice for younger/rising actuaries?
Don’t be afraid to express your own thoughts.
What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry?
The fact that valuation of policy reserve varied not only from country to country but also from company to company.
Any other cities/countries you have worked in?
No, unfortunately.
What’s the most interesting trend for 2023?
Economic bases valuation methods, like IFRS17, and ICS.
Where do you see the biggest growth opportunities for actuaries?
To be in charge of company governance using actuarial skills.
What do you do to recharge each day?
Playing cards with our grandchildren is a lot of fun for me.
What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?
Playing PC games, especially mahjong game which needs strategic thinking.
What’s the phone app you use most?
LINE.
What is your favourite random fact?
In the periodic table of elements, writing the rare earth part horizontally is more appropriate.
What is on your bucket list?
To go abroad every year for fun, like before COVID.
If you had millions of dollars, what would you do every day?
Retire. And to travel all over the world with my wife.
If you lived 500 years in the future, what do you think your profession would be?
If I lived 500 years, my profession would be a consultant on how to survive.
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