Announcement

Today our company announced an important step to aquire an American insurance company, Protective Life by 5.7 billion USD.

It's been about 3 months since I was able to take two days off during the weekend without thinking about work. And I don't think I'll have to work past midnight anymore. Now I definitely need a break!
But I'm happy to have been deeply involved in such an important project for my company (and for the Japanese insurance industry).
Although there is still work to be done (regulatory approvals etc), I'm happy to see we have reached a stage to announce this deal to the public today June 4th.

Very positively surprised with the massive media reaction to this.

Media reactions
http://jp.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSKBN0EF0I020140604?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-04/dai-ichi-life-agrees-to-buy-protective-for-about-5-7-billion.html
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/dai-ichi-to-buy-protective-life-for-5-7-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
http://online.wsj.com/articles/dai-ichi-to-buy-protective-life-for-5-7-billion-1401845147?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303565704579602921687447860.html