Kitasato becomes the eleventh hospital in Japan to have a "Waku Waku Room" -- a special playroom aimed at improving the medical treatment environment for children

Tokyo, Japan - Manulife Japan has opened a "Waku Waku Room" at Kitasato University Hospital in Kanagawa providing children undergoing medical treatment there with much-needed recreation space. Kitasato University Hospital is the eleventh hospital in Japan to have a "Waku Waku Room."

The "Manulife Waku Waku Room" project started in 2007 and aims to provide playrooms, designed and decorated by experts, to help create a high quality medical treatment environment for children in hospitals in Japan. The project is run by Manulife in cooperation with the Central Community Chest of Japan and the NPO Childrens' Health Forum.

"I'm grateful to all those who have given their support in opening the Waku Waku Room at Kitasato University Hospital," said Gavin Robinson, President and CEO of Manulife Japan, speaking at a special ceremony earlier in April.

"It's well known that providing hospitalized children with a place to play, creates a relaxing home-like atmosphere that allows them to interact with other children. This in turn provides psychological support and helps them with their treatment. "Manulife Waku Waku Room" is an extremely important project for us."

"Manulife Waku Waku Room" is one of two activities that make up Manulife's Special Support Project. The project also comprises "Ideas to Improve Medical Treatment Environment for Children".

Photo Caption : Manulife executives attend opening ceremony at Kitasato University along with representatives of Kitasato University Hospital, NPO Children's Health Forum and Central Community Chest of Japan

About Manulife
Manulife Life Insurance Company ("Manulife Japan") is a member of the Manulife Financial Group.

Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. We operate as John Hancock in the U.S. and as Manulife in other parts of the world. We provide strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for our customers' significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$691 billion (US$596 billion) as at December 31, 2014.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

Media Contact

Mina Takahashi
Branding, Marketing, and Communications
Manulife Life Insurance Company
Tel: 042-442-7775

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