Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd., which maintains a 10% ownership interest in Aflac Inc. (NASDAQ:AFL), has completed a transaction involving the sale of its equity stake. The Japanese holding company reported the disposal of common stock with a total value of approximately $1,877,569. These transactions were executed on June 3, 2026, with the shares being sold at prices varying between $114.48 and $116.31 per share.
The divestment was facilitated through the J&A Alliance Trust, where Japan Post Holdings acts as the sole settlor and beneficiary. Through J&A Alliance Holdings Corporation, serving as the trustee, the holding company indirectly disposed of 16,300 shares of Aflac common stock. Following this reduction in holdings, Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. continues to indirectly hold 51,248,735 shares of Aflac common stock. The company maintains its position by disclaiming beneficial ownership of these securities, with the exception of its pecuniary interest.
In a broader operational context, Aflac Incorporated reported its first-quarter 2026 earnings, revealing a mixed financial performance. The company slightly missed earnings per share expectations, posting an adjusted EPS of $1.75 compared to the forecasted $1.80. However, Aflac surpassed revenue projections, achieving $4.35 billion against an expected $4.18 billion. The financial results were accompanied by corporate governance developments during the annual shareholder meeting.
Shareholders approved several company proposals during the meeting, including the election of 11 directors and a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation. Additionally, shareholders ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. However, a proposal for an independent board chairman was rejected. Furthermore, Aflac has opened a new office in South Portland, Maine, to administer the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which began issuing benefits recently. This facility will serve over 500,000 eligible workers and participating employers in both the public and private sectors.