2005 News Releases

Tokyo– In response to the call from “Children’s Health Forum” (Location: Nishikamo, Aichi Prefecture; Director: Dr. Yutaka Tanabe, PhD) for submissions of unique and effective ideas/plans to improve children’s recuperation environment for hospital facilities where children are admitted or commute, six facilities across the nation have submitted their ideas.

“Children’s Health Forum” is a nonprofit organization (NPO) that promotes pioneering activities across the nation to support children’s healthcare and medical treatment called such idea submission in the aim of developing these activities even further.

The impetus for this recent request for ideas came from the Paper Crane Fundraising Campaign held by Manulife Life Insurance Company (“Manulife Japan;” Headquarters: Chofu-shi, Tokyo; President and CEO: Geoff Crickmay) that is actively contributing to the local community and supporting the “Children’s Health Forum”. The Paper Crane Fundraising Campaign used paper cranes as the symbol and was proceeded over two months this May and June. Through this campaign, Manulife Japan, its employees and nearly 100,000 of its customers sympathized with the aim of the activities being developed by the “Children’s Health Forum”, and cooperated to donate a total of 1,299,892 yen to the Forum.

In order to make the donations from Manulife Japan to the “Children’s Health Forum” even more useful for developing activities for improving children’s recuperation environment, “Children’s Health Forum” decided to use these donations on the best ideas to help improvement of children’s recuperation environment for hospital facilities where children are admitted or commute to throughout the country.

The “Children’s Health Forum” reviewed the submitted ideas and decided the recipients of the donations. It will hold a presentation ceremony event on November 13 (Sunday) at the Aichi Children’s Medical Center, called the “Aichi 21st century Children’s Health Forum”. Further, the results of the application is scheduled to be announced at the “7th Meeting for Research Papers on Children’s Recuperation Environment”, to be held on June 4 next year.

Facilities that Submitted Ideas for Manulife Japan’s Paper Crane Fundraising Campaign

1. Aichi International Hospital (Nisshin-shi, Aichi Prefecture)
2. Aichi Children’s Health and Medical Center (Ohbu-shi, Aichi Prefecture)
3. Osaka University Hospital, Medical School, Pediatric ward (Suita-shi, Osaka Prefecture), Circle for Supporting Development “Kindergarten Make-believe”
4. Juntendo University School of Medicine, Pediatric Department and Department of Pediatric Surgery (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
5. Fujita Health University Hospital 1-7A, 1-7B, NICU Ward (Toyoake-shi, Aichi Prefecture)
6. Mental Care Nanairo No Mori (forest of seven colors) (Nagoya-shi, Aichi Prefecture)

Please see the following Web site for details of the application for ideas: www.npo-cln.org/frame_study.html

Manulife Japan’s Paper Crane Fundraising Campaign Presentation Ceremony
Date: November 13 (Sunday) 14:15 – 14:30
Location: Aichi Children’s Health and Medical Center

For further information, please contact:
Children’s Health Forum Japan:
Nami Shinohara, Secretariat,
Telephone: 0561-36-6643

Manulife Japan:
Saeko Yoshioka, Corporate Communications,
Telephone: 0424-42-7078

About the 10th Aichi 21st Century Children’s Health Forum
The Paper Crane Fundraising Presentation Ceremony will be held at “the 10th Aichi 21st Century Children’s Health Forum”. This one day event program will include a symposium for things such as, “Play in the natural forests for enriching children’s’ hearts and bodies”; Let’s go to the forest!! Tree huggers tree-climbing experience; Juggling & Magic Show; Mini-concert with Bamboo Musical Instruments; Hand-craft workshop using assorted wood; Origami workshop; Classes to learn about insects; and Training to prevent accidents involving children. This hands-on event covers a wide range of topics and is held by the Children’s Health Forum, for parents and children alike to enjoy.

About the NPO “Children’s Health Forum”
The “Children’s Health Forum” believes it is necessary to have an environment where children can have dreams and wishes for their future. Starting with the “Aichi Children’s Health and Medical Center” (Ohbu-shi, Aichi Prefecture; Director: Dr. Masami Nagashima PhD), it provides supports for decorations in various children’s health facilities, playrooms, and holds various events concerning children’s health in facilities for prominent and advanced pediatric hospitals in Japan. It is highly rated by society for creating hospital environments for helping sick children and their families to recuperate and undergo medical treatment therapies with courage.

About the “Manulife Japan Paper Crane Fundraising Campaign”
This campaign involves Manulife Japan’s PLAN RIGHTTM advisors who call for customers to make paper cranes, and raises donations depending on the number of paper cranes made. The Company and its employees also voluntarily donate money, and the donations are then handed over to the “Children’s Health Forum”. Manulife Japan is used the Aichi Expo as an opportunity, as its capacity as a sponsor of the Aichi Expo Canada Pavilion, to contribute to society. While supporting activities to do with exchange between the youth of Japan and Canada, it has held exchange events for children who are battling illness in both countries. Manulife Japan’s activities also promote further development of this campaign.

About Manulife:
Manulife Life Insurance Company (“Manulife Japan”), a member company of the Manulife Financial group, holds a top-class "AA+" credit rating from Standard & Poor’s, one of the world’s most prestigious credit rating agencies(as of October 2005).

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$360 billion (US$310 billion) as at September 30, 2005.

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 or www.manulife.co.jp  for Manulife Japan.