THE PENINSULA TOKYO ESTABLISHES THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE HOTELIER SCHOLARSHIP - First luxury hotel in Japan to offer a full-ride academic scholarship

In commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan earthquake on 11 March 2011, The Peninsula Tokyo announces the establishment of “The Peninsula Tokyo Great East Japan Earthquake Hotelier Scholarship” at the Japan College of Foreign Languages (JCFL), a Tokyo-based junior college offering a two-year hotelier academic program.

Valued at JPY 5.8 million / US$ 76,145**, the scholarship was specifically created to benefit students from the devastated Tohoku region. Requirements for applicants include residency in one of the six Tohoku prefectures – Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi or Yamagata, submission of an application with a Japanese and English essay about why they would like to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, and finally participation in a one-on-one interview with The Peninsula Tokyo’s Scholarship Committee, which consists of the General Manager, Resident Manager, Director of Human Resources and Regional Communications Director of Japan.

The scholarship is offered to one student, every two years and covers 100% of the two-year program’s entrance fee, tuition, book and dormitory expenses. In addition, the hotel will provide the undergraduate with a part-time job during school, and after graduating they will be offered a full-time position at The Peninsula Tokyo and a three-month cross training program at The Peninsula’s flagship hotel in Hong Kong, should they accept.

Applications will be accepted from 1 August to 7 September 2012 and the awardee will be honored at a ceremony on 29 October 2012 at the hotel. The first recipient will enter JCFL in April 2013.

JCFL is an accredited junior college by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and was established in 1970 in Shinjuku, Tokyo as the Tokyo Institute of Interpreter and Tourist Guide. In 1977, an Osaka campus opened with a new Tokyo campus opening in Takadonobaba in 1978. In 1985, the school was renamed the Japan College of Foreign. -more-

THE PENINSULA TOKYO ESTABLISHES THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE HOTELIER SCHOLARSHIP - 2 - First luxury hotel in Japan to offer a full-ride academic scholarship

From 5 to 16 March 2012, the hotel will exhibit its HOPE for JAPAN “Tree of 1,000 Cranes” at the lobby. Displayed shortly after the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011, the hotel’s signature “Tokky” art piece by Ms Keisen Hama will be adorned with 1,000 cranes, comprised of 100 cranes from each of the nine Peninsula Hotels and ’ headquarters in Hong Kong. The crane is regarded as a symbol of good fortune and longevity and over time has evolved as a favorite subject of the Japanese art of origami or paper folding. Today this tradition of folding 1,000 cranes represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times.

As part of its community outreach program since its opening, the hotel has supported children and women’s health issues, together with volunteer programs through three charities – Make-A- Wish® Foundation of Japan, Peninsula in Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and Hands On Tokyo. Additionally, The Peninsula Tokyo also raised funds for Hands On Tokyo’s Disaster Services Division, dedicated to rebuilding the Tohoku region through volunteer work and charitable donations and JPY 42 million / US$ 515,000* for the Japanese Red Cross Society from The Peninsula Hotels’ 2011 HOPE for JAPAN initiative.

*US$1 = JPY 81.55 (June 2011) **US$ 1 = JPY 76.17 (February 2012)

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THE PENINSULA TOKYO ESTABLISHES THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE HOTELIER SCHOLARSHIP – 3 - First luxury hotel in Japan to offer a full-ride academic scholarship

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About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)

Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of transport, club management and other services. The hotel portfolio of the Group comprises The Peninsula Hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Bangkok, Manila and Paris (opening in 2013). The property portfolio of the Group includes Complex, The and The Peak Tramways, St. John’s Building, The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand.

For further information, please contact:

Mark K. Kobayashi Regional Director of Communications, Japan The Peninsula Hotels Telephone : (81-3) 6270 2888 Direct : (81-3) 6270 2525 Fax : (81-3) 6270 2608 E-mail : [email protected] Website : www.peninsula.com Digital Photo Library : www.peninsula.com/pdl Broadcast Video Library : www.thenewsmarket.com/thepeninsulahotels