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Schedule II - Aflac Incorporated (Parent Only) - Summary of Notes Payable (Detail 2) $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 JPY (¥) | Sep. 30, 2019 JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2018 JPY (¥) | Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2018 JPY (¥) | Oct. 31, 2017 JPY (¥) | Jan. 31, 2017 JPY (¥) | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2014 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($) | Feb. 29, 2012 USD ($) | Aug. 31, 2010 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
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4.00% senior notes due February 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.00% | 4.00% |  | 4.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.00% |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ | $ 350 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 350 |  |
3.625% senior notes due June 2023 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.625% | 3.625% |  | 3.625% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.625% |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ | $ 700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 700 |  |  |
3.625% senior notes due November 2024 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.625% | 3.625% |  | 3.625% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.625% |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ | $ 750 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 750 |  |  |  |
3.25% senior notes due March 2025 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.25% | 3.25% |  | 3.25% |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.25% |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ | $ 450 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 450 |  |  |  |  |
2.875% senior notes due October 2026 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 2.875% | 2.875% |  | 2.875% |  |  |  |  |  | 2.875% |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 300 |  |  |  |  |  |
6.90% senior notes due December 2039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 6.90% | 6.90% |  | 6.90% |  |  |  |  | 6.90% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 400
6.45% senior notes due August 2040 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 6.45% | 6.45% |  | 6.45% |  |  |  |  | 6.45% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 450 |
4.00% senior notes due October 2046 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.00% | 4.00% |  | 4.00% |  |  |  |  |  | 4.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 400 |  |  |  |  |  |
4.750% senior notes due January 2049 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.75% | 4.75% |  | 4.75% | 4.75% | 4.75% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount | $ |  |  |  |  | $ 550 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
.932% senior notes due January 2027 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.932% | 0.932% |  | 0.932% |  |  |  | 0.932% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 60.0 |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
.500% senior notes due December 2029 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.50% | 0.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 12.6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.159% senior notes due October 2030 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.159% | 1.159% |  | 1.159% | 1.159% | 1.159% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 29.3 |  | ¥ 29.3 |  | ¥ 29.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
.843% senior notes due December 2031 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.843% | 0.843% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 9.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.488% senior notes due October 2033 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.488% | 1.488% |  | 1.488% | 1.488% | 1.488% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 15.2 |  | ¥ 15.2 |  | ¥ 15.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
.934% senior notes due December 2034 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.934% | 0.934% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 9.8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.750% senior notes due October 2038 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.75% | 1.75% |  | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 8.9 |  | ¥ 8.9 |  | ¥ 8.9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1.122% senior notes due December 2039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.122% | 1.122% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 6.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2.108% subordinated notes due October 2047 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 2.108% | 2.108% |  | 2.108% |  |  | 2.108% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 60.0 |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Yen-denominated loan variable interest rate due September 2026 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.42% | 0.42% |  | 0.32% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 5.0 | ¥ 5.0 | ¥ 5.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Yen-denominated loan variable interest rate due September 2029 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.57% | 0.57% |  | 0.47% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 25.0 | 25.0 | ¥ 25.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 4.00% senior notes due February 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.00% | 4.00% |  | 4.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 3.625% senior notes due June 2023 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.625% | 3.625% |  | 3.625% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 3.625% senior notes due November 2024 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.625% | 3.625% |  | 3.625% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 3.25% senior notes due March 2025 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 3.25% | 3.25% |  | 3.25% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 2.875% senior notes due October 2026 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 2.875% | 2.875% |  | 2.875% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 6.90% senior notes due December 2039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 6.90% | 6.90% |  | 6.90% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 6.45% senior notes due August 2040 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 6.45% | 6.45% |  | 6.45% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 4.00% senior notes due October 2046 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.00% | 4.00% |  | 4.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 4.750% senior notes due January 2049 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.75% | 4.75% |  | 4.75% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | .932% senior notes due January 2027 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.932% | 0.932% |  | 0.932% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 60.0 |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | .500% senior notes due December 2029 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.50% | 0.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 12.6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 1.159% senior notes due October 2030 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.159% | 1.159% |  | 1.159% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 29.3 |  | ¥ 29.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | .843% senior notes due December 2031 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.843% | 0.843% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 9.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 1.488% senior notes due October 2033 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.488% | 1.488% |  | 1.488% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 15.2 |  | ¥ 15.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | .934% senior notes due December 2034 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.934% | 0.934% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 9.8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 1.750% senior notes due October 2038 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.75% | 1.75% |  | 1.75% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 8.9 |  | ¥ 8.9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 1.122% senior notes due December 2039 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.122% | 1.122% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 6.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | 2.108% subordinated notes due October 2047 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 2.108% | 2.108% |  | 2.108% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 60.0 |  | ¥ 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | Yen-denominated loan variable interest rate due September 2026 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.42% | 0.42% |  | 0.32% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 5.0 | 5.0 | ¥ 5.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Parent Company | Yen-denominated loan variable interest rate due September 2029 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 0.57% | 0.57% |  | 0.47% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, principal amount |  | ¥ 25.0 | ¥ 25.0 | ¥ 25.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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