JCB, the prominent Japanese payment brand and credit card provider, has forged a collaboration with insurance firm Mysurance to introduce “oshikatsu cancellation insurance,” a product co-developed with the fan culture platform Oshicoco (source: Oricon News).
This development brings Japan a specialized insurance policy aimed at fans concerned about last-minute disruptions to their plans of meeting favorite idols, voice actors, stage performers, and more. The policy is designed to ease the financial strain on fans who travel domestically or abroad to support their chosen stars, only to face sudden event cancellations or transportation issues.
“We will fully reimburse you for cancellation fees related to accommodations, flights, and similar expenses if you need to cancel your trip,” the official Mysurance webpage assures fans. However, it also clarifies: “Unfortunately, the emotional distress of not being able to see your favorite performer is not covered by insurance.”
The rationale behind this unique insurance product is that missing a highly anticipated performance due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, scheduling conflicts, or health emergencies represents a significant risk for fans. As highlighted in an infographic on the website, based on a February 2025 survey of 1,191 Japanese fans conducted by Oshicoco, approximately one in five fans has faced unexpected event cancellations beyond their control, resulting in financial losses.
The visual data reveals that among those impacted, one in three incurred cancellation costs exceeding 30,000 yen (around $185) for flights and hotels alone, with some extreme cases reaching over 100,000 yen (more than $600). These statistics are complemented by personal anecdotes from fans, including stories of contracting the flu days before a concert, receiving a doctor’s directive to miss an anniversary live show, or witnessing a much-anticipated 2.5D stage play finale being canceled at the last moment.
The insurance is available in two tiers. The more economical “Simple” option covers travel delays and unexpected hospitalizations for the traveler or a pet, while the more comprehensive “Wide” plan extends protection to official event cancellations, infectious diseases, and even passport expiration issues. The website also includes a thorough FAQ section detailing strict eligibility criteria. To be eligible, the insurance must be purchased within 14 days of booking travel arrangements, provided the departure date is at least 9 days in the future.