Shares of Columbus-based Aflac fell 7-percent today. The company has lost more than 3-billion dollars in market value since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The company does three-quarters of its business in Japan. However, company officials say they do just 5-percent of their business in the region impacted by the disaster.
Aflac officials say operations in Japan are up and running and they are ready to assist policyholders. The company also donated 100-million yen to the Red Cross to aid in recovery efforts.
Aflac has also severed ties with Gilbert Gottfried. Company officials say the comedian, who was the voice of the iconic Aflac duck, was being let go for making inappropriate comments about the crisis in Japan. They say they plan to immediately conduct a nationwide search for the new voice of the Aflac duck.

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