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INCOME TAXES - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Applicable to Pretax Earnings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 806 | $ 1,379 | $ 631
Deferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 335 | (316) | (1,217)
Total income tax expense | $ 276 | $ 259 | $ 292 | $ 314 | $ 197 | $ 301 | $ 299 | $ 265 | 1,141 | 1,063 | (586)
Aflac Japan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 737 | 771 | 722
Deferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 183 | 93 | (24)
Total income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 920 | 864 | 698
Aflac U.S. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 69 | 608 | (91)
Deferred |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 152 | (409) | (1,193)
Total income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 221 | $ 199 | $ (1,284)

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