There is strong demand for new inexpensive, short-term insurance plans, ranging from landlords' death coverage to medical policies for foreign tourists.
Sendai-based Prevent SAST Insurance Co. offers a legal-expenses plan named Mikata. It was introduced in response to increasing numbers of people seeking legal support over trouble in the workplace or at home, including noisy neighbors or employers' failures to compensate for overtime.
With a monthly payment of ¥2,980, the insurance covers up to ¥100,000 a year in legal advice fees and up to ¥3 million per case in lawyer fees in court cases.