Number of Reportable Business Segments

No definition available.

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- Definition

Obligation To Japanese Policyholder Protection Corporation Carrying Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of the carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, of all premiums and other types of receivables due from other persons or entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, of all premiums and other types of receivables due from other persons or entities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 5

-Article 7

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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BUSINESS SEGMENT AND FOREIGN INFORMATION - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Aflac Japan	Dec. 31, 2012 Aflac Japan	Dec. 31, 2013 Upper Limit Building	Dec. 31, 2013 Upper Limit Machinery and Equipment	Dec. 31, 2013 Upper Limit Furniture and Fixtures
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reportable insurance business segments	2
Liability accrued for obligations to the Japanese life insurance policyholder protection corporation (LIPPC)		$ 23
Property and Equipment, maximum estimated useful life (in years)					50 years	20 years	20 years
Total receivables related to Aflac Japan's operations	$ 1,165	$ 976	$ 731	$ 566
Percentage of total receivables related to Aflac Japan's operations			82.90%	58.20%