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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION - Operations by Segment - Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | $ 144,101 | $ 118,256
Aflac Japan |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | 121,677 | 97,646
Aflac U.S. |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | 20,126 | 18,537
Other business segments |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | 270 | 188
Total Business Segments |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | 142,073 | 116,371
Corporate |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | 29,617 | 23,375
Intercompany eliminations |  |
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |
Assets | $ (27,589) | $ (21,490)

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