2006 News Releases

Campaign is Now Accepting Proposals from Disaster-Affected Residents
for Rebuilding Their Livelihoods

Tokyo - As part of the “Manulife Japan and Central Community Chest of Japan (CCC-J) Recovery Assistance Fundraising Campaign to Aid Disaster-Affected Areas” conducted by Manulife Japan (Head Office: Chofu City in Tokyo, President & CEO: Geoff Crickmay), Central Community Chest of Japan (Chairperson: Ritsuko Nagao) is inviting residents of disaster-affected areas to send their proposals for ways to rebuild their own communities and economies.

The “Manulife Japan and CCC-J Recovery Assistance Fundraising Campaign to Aid Disaster-Affected Areas” was jointly established by Manulife Japan and CCC-J in May 2006, with the twin goals of supporting efforts of residents of disaster-hit areas to get back on their feet, while increasing public awareness of the difficulties facing these residents in rebuilding their communities and economies and the variety of support required. For this continuous campaign, Manulife’s employees and executives make monetary donations which are then matched by the company. The contributions raised are put together into a special fund.

Using this fund, CCC-J is soliciting proposals created by residents’ action groups nationwide for helping their communities move forward along the road of recovery. CCC-J will provide financial support for the most outstanding proposals submitted. For the regions damaged by the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake and by the volcano eruption at Miyakejima Island, various action groups have networked together for the purpose of reconstructing these areas, and Manulife Japan and CCC-J will look to support one group in each of these areas.

Proposals may be submitted during the period from November 8 until December 5, 2006. After the submission period, the selection committee will review these ideas and choose the recipient groups. An announcement regarding the winning groups will then be made and the winning groups will be presented with a donation.

About Manulife
Manulife Life Insurance Company (“Manulife Japan”), a member company of the Manulife Financial group, holds the highest level "AAA" credit rating from Standard & Poor’s, one of the world’s most reliable credit rating agencies (as of November 7, 2006).

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$381 billion (US$341 billion) as at September 30.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com. Manulife Japan can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.co.jp.

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For more information, please contact
Saeko Yoshioka
Manulife Life Insurance Company
Telephone: 0424-42-7078