Japanese Non-Life Insurer Starts Joint Research on Water Damage Risk with Kyoto University

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The Tokio Marine Research Institute, a Japanese think tank for Tokio Marine Group, announced on October 22, 2012, that it had signed a joint research agreement with Kyoto University on October 1, 2012, for "the risk assessment of flood and water damage under future climate conditions." The joint research aims to enhance the accuracy of estimating flood damage under global warming, such as impacts on claims paid by non-life insurers.

The research intends to create a Distributed Flow Routing Model, a new physical model to forecasts the amount of flowing water after rainfalls, and to develop methods for quantitative risk assessment of flood risk and water damages. Since 2007, the institute has conducted joint research with Nagoya University on precipitation data under various potential climate conditions. By combining the know-how obtained through that research with the findings from research with Kyoto University, the institute aims to contribute to a more accurate quantitative evaluation of flood risk and water damages.

The institute plans to use its research findings to improve risk management services provided by its group companies and to publicize the information for disaster preparation purposes.