"Korobanu saki no tsue," goes an old Japanese saying. Literally "a cane before stumbling," the maxim holds that preparedness can soften, if not prevent, a fall. Today, insurance is often the cane people keep in hand.
Following recent deregulations, you can get coverage for just about anything. So in addition to auto insurance and fire insurance, major Japanese insurers are now offering coverage against cancer and nursing care. The latest product from Tokyo Marine & Fire Insurance Co. is for potential stalking victims.
Introduced in January, "Lady Guard" is designed particularly for women between the ages of 15 and 35, covering the cost of necessary measures against possible harm, damage caused by stalkers as well as medical treatment for any injury caused.