<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0001658552</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0000004977</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>AFLAC INC, C/O AFLAC INC,</own:issuerName>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>1932 Wynnton Rd</com:street1>
        <com:city>Columbus</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>31999</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>706-660-7476</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>JAMES TODD DANIELS</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>Officer</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>MERRILL LYNCH</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>2681 N. CAUSEWAY BLVD</com:street1>
          <com:city>MANDEVILLE</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>LA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>70471</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>15000</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>1836750</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>30000</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>08/10/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>02/10/2025</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Vesting</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer/AFLAC</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>267</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>02/10/2025</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>Compensation</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>06/18/2024</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Options Granted - 02/10/2015</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer/AFLAC</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2130</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>06/18/2024</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>Compensation</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>02/11/2024</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Vesting</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer/AFLAC</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>21261</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>02/11/2024</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>Compensation</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>08/10/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>Nick Platt</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
