From living longer to living free, people across Asia prioritize health and financial self-sufficiency to pursue independence and avoid burdening loved ones

HONG KONG, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As longevity continues to rise across Asia, people are rethinking what it truly means to leave a legacy. Living longer no longer means simply adding years to life. Instead, the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 shows a clear shift in mindset: people across Asia increasingly see independence, good health, financial self‑reliance and freedom from dependency, as the most meaningful inheritance they can leave their families, helping to avoid becoming a burden on loved ones.

Independence as the new inheritance — a legacy free from burden and care dependency

Based on responses from more than 9,000 adults across nine Asian markets, the survey highlights a less discussed reality of longevity. On average, respondents estimate that around 13 to 14 years in the later stages of life may be spent needing care or financial support, raising concerns about dependence and the strain it can place on loved ones.

Against this backdrop, traditional ideas of inheritance are being redefined. More than 80% of people across Asia say maintaining independence and financial freedom is more important than merely passing on wealth, while nearly 9 in 10 say their goal in a longer life is to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible. Independence is increasingly viewed not just as a personal choice, but as a way to protect family members from the emotional and financial burden of caregiving.

People’s desire to see independence as a legacy to be passed on is strongest in markets such as Indonesia (93%) and Vietnam (89%), and is comparatively lower — but still held by a clear majority — in Japan (63%), highlighting how strongly this idea resonates across the region.

“Across Asia, people are redefining what it means to leave something behind for the next generation,” said Steve Finch, CEO of Manulife Asia. “Independence has become the new and better legacy – because when people can take care of their own health and finances, they preserve their dignity while freeing their families to live their own lives.”

Good health is the foundation of independence — but action still lags

For many, the first line of defence against care dependency on their families is good health. Two-thirds of people across Asia now prioritize health and quality of life above all else, recognizing that staying healthy for longer is the most effective way to achieve meaningful independence in later years.

Awareness, however, is not always matched by action. While preventive care and early screenings are widely recognized as critical — with more than 80% agreeing they help preserve independence — practice still lags awareness. About half receive regular comprehensive health check-ups, and 1 in 10 has never had one. Fewer than 50% maintain a consistent exercise routine or balanced diet, highlighting a growing gap between intention and preparedness.

Financial self‑reliance replaces reliance on children

With 89% of people across Asia prioritizing financial independence and self-sufficiency for as long as possible without reliance on others’ help, respondents are allocating a significant 68% of their total financial assets toward supporting their own independence, compared to only 32% earmarked for inheritance. This is further reinforced by the fact that only 19% plan to rely on financial support from their children for their retirement and care needs. Together, these findings underscore the strong emphasis on ensuring financial resources are effectively deployed to generate the returns needed to sustain long-term independence.

Only 51% of respondents, however, are using investments to fund their retirement and care needs—suggesting that many are not fully leveraging the potential of investment returns to support the independence they value so highly. This gap is even more pronounced in certain markets, including Japan (30%), China (40%), and Vietnam (43%), where significantly fewer individuals are relying on investments to meet their independence needs.

“There is a clear disconnect between what people want and how they are acting. Many are prioritizing independence, yet underutilizing investments that can help them achieve it. Too often, financial planning is approached as a choice between supporting one’s own independence and leaving a legacy— but that mindset can be limiting,” said Fabio Fontainha, CEO of Wealth and Asset Management, Asia, Manulife. When used effectively, investments can generate income, preserve capital, and grow wealth over time. Individuals don’t have to choose between living independently and creating a legacy— they can plan for both.”

Encouragingly, there are signs of progress as individuals begin to adapt their financial planning approaches. Among those who have investments, insurance and savings plans, 40% are shifting toward income-generating investments, while 38% are increasing diversification across asset classes — reflecting a deliberate focus on building resilient portfolios to support long-term independence.

Retirement at 65 is losing relevance

As concerns about dependency grow, the traditional concept of retirement is changing. The survey shows that 74% of people across Asia plan to continue working beyond the age of 65, not just for income, but to maintain independence and financial resilience. Across the region, flexible part‑time work is the most preferred post‑65 arrangement, while many respondents in markets such as the Chinese Mainland (39%) and Japan (32%) prefer continuing to work full‑time — highlighting that people choose different forms of work as they adapt to longer lives. Taken together, these shifts reflect a broader rethinking of later-life work as an active way to stay engaged and independent.

Caregiving pressures make independence a family issue

The desire for independence also reflects today’s realities. Around half of people across Asia currently provide care or financial support to family members, and the impact is especially pronounced among the sandwich generation. 6 in 10 caregivers say these responsibilities already affect their ability to secure long-term health and financial independence for themselves, reinforcing why planning ahead is seen as a responsibility to the whole family — not just the individual.

Early and open family conversations help — yet many still avoid them

Open conversations play a critical role in turning intention into action. Nearly 70% of people across Asia believe that discussing ageing, retirement and care expectations early with family members leads to better wellbeing later in life. Yet, more than 40% have not had these conversations, often because they do not know how or where to start. Those who have had these discussions — or who have worked with a financial planner — report a significantly higher quality of life, underscoring the value of early planning.

The insights uncovered in this year’s Asia Care Survey align with the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people thrive at every age. Learn more about Manulife’s Longevity research and insights at: Manulife.com/longevity. 

About the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026

The Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 was conducted between February and March 2026 via online questionnaires across nine markets: the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. More than 9,000 adults aged 18 and above participated.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Manulife Longevity Institute

The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife’s Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.

For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.

Media Contact
Carl Wong
Head of External Communications, Asia
Manulife
carl_kk_wong@manulifeam.com

Company Doubles Regional Headcount as Enterprises Across APAC Seek More Control, Reduced Costs, and Greater Flexibility for Mission-Critical ERP Systems

DENVER, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spinnaker Support, the third-party software support leader trusted by more than 1,000 organizations worldwide, today announced the appointment of Vivek Pruthi as Managing Director – APAC, as the company accelerates its investment and expansion across the region.

Over the past year, Spinnaker has more than doubled its APAC headcount to support growing demand from organizations seeking greater control over their technology roadmaps, reduced costs, and greater flexibility in managing mission-critical SAP, Oracle, and VMware environments. The expansion underscores the increasing demand for independent support solutions, freedom from vendor constraints, and trusted strategic guidance throughout the region.

As Managing Director, Pruthi will lead the company’s regional growth strategy, drive sales and business development initiatives, strengthen customer and partner relationships, and help organizations maximize the value of their technology investments.

“APAC is one of the fastest-growing regions in our business and a critical part of Spinnaker’s global expansion strategy,” said Mark Ritacco, Chief Strategy Officer at Spinnaker Support. “We are investing aggressively in the region because customers are looking for greater control over their technology roadmaps, access to experienced expertise, and alternatives to vendor-driven timelines. Vivek has extensive knowledge of SAP, and combining his experience with our laser focus on garnering new SAP customers will help us drive further success across the Asia-Pacific region.”

The market dynamics driving this growth are significant. A March 2026 Mordor Intelligence report notes that global demand for certified ERP consultants continues to exceed supply, particularly in complex industries, and estimates a 30,000-40,000-person shortfall for SAP consultants alone.

As organizations face rising consulting costs, constrained talent availability, and longer implementation timelines, many are reevaluating how they support and modernize mission-critical ERP systems. These challenges are increasing demand for experienced partners that can help organizations maximize existing ERP investments while planning for future modernization initiatives.

“Enterprises across APAC are asking practical questions about cost, control, and timing,” said Pruthi. “Many organizations are running stable, mission-critical ERP environments, yet they are being pushed toward vendor timelines that may not align with their business priorities. Spinnaker gives customers another path. We help them protect what is already working, reduce unnecessary spend, and create the flexibility to modernize when they are ready.”

About Spinnaker Support

Spinnaker Support delivers independent third-party software support for Oracle, SAP, and VMware, along with managed services and cloud solutions. Trusted by enterprises in highly regulated industries worldwide, Spinnaker helps organizations reduce costs, extend software value, and modernize on their own terms. Spinnaker offers The Ultimate Support Guarantee, an industry-first agreement for customers switching away from vendor support. Follow Spinnaker on LinkedIn and X.

For more information: www.spinnakersupport.com.

NEW YORK, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ridgewood Infrastructure LLC (“Ridgewood”), a leading infrastructure investor in the U.S. lower middle market, today announced the acquisition of Dauntless Air (“Dauntless” or the “Company”), a market-leading aerial firefighting company that provides emergency management infrastructure for wildfire response.

Dauntless owns and operates the nation’s largest and most technologically advanced fleet of Fire Boss aircraft. These specialized water-scooping air tankers, also known as Single Engine Scoopers (SES), are purpose-built to rapidly attack and contain wildfires that threaten people, land and property. Dauntless deploys these aircraft, highly trained personnel and support equipment under long-term government contracts for wildfire suppression services.

“Dauntless is a highly differentiated emergency management infrastructure platform operating at the center of an increasingly important public safety mission,” said Ryan Stewart, Partner at Ridgewood Infrastructure. “The Company has established a leadership position through its scale, operational capabilities and long-standing relationships, and we look forward to partnering with Dauntless leadership and the entire team to continue growing the platform.”

Wildfire response has become a heightened public infrastructure priority as fire seasons continue to grow longer and more severe in many regions of the United States. Dauntless’ contracted, availability-based operating model provides government agencies with dedicated aerial firefighting capacity that can be positioned when and where it is needed most. This includes pre-positioning aircraft before fire season, in anticipation of increased fire activity, as well as re-positioning throughout the season based on changing conditions. This tactical flexibility and Dauntless’ operational effectiveness are essential in protecting communities, critical infrastructure and natural resources from evolving wildfire threats.

Brett L’Esperance, Chief Executive Officer of Dauntless, said: “Our team is known for delivering operational excellence, reliability, safety and innovation in some of the most challenging wildfire environments in North America. We are looking forward to building on that reputation in partnership with Ridgewood, which shares our commitment to continuously improving our capabilities, investing in our people and providing our customers the highest level of service.”

Dauntless has decades of performance history with federal and state government customers. The Company’s market position is further supported by significant barriers to entry, including specialized aircraft, rigorous operational requirements, regulatory certifications and highly trained personnel.

“Dauntless embodies many of the characteristics we seek in an infrastructure investment: essential services, mission-critical operations, strong barriers to entry and avenues for operational growth,” said Ross Posner, Managing Partner of Ridgewood Infrastructure. “We are excited to support management as they continue expanding the platform’s capabilities.”

Following the acquisition, Dauntless will continue to be led by Brett L’Esperance and the existing management team. Ridgewood intends to support continued investment in the Company’s operational capabilities, customer partnerships and strategic growth initiatives. The Company will also pursue opportunities to expand its emergency management infrastructure platform through fleet growth, adjacent service offerings and selective acquisitions.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Ridgewood Infrastructure

Ridgewood Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure investor focused on essential services in the U.S. lower middle market. Ridgewood partners with management teams to build, scale and professionalize infrastructure platforms that provide critical services to customers and communities.

About Dauntless Air

Dauntless Air is an aerial firefighting company deeply dedicated to protecting people, land and property from the devastation of wildfires. Armed with North America’s largest and most technologically advanced Fire Boss fleet, Dauntless supports rapid initial attack operations and wildfire suppression efforts that enable wildland firefighters and government agencies to put out fires faster and at a substantially lower cost than traditional tanker methods. To learn more, visit https://dauntlessair.com and follow Dauntless Air on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

Contact Information:

Ridgewood Infrastructure
527 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 867-0050

Email: Inquiries@RidgewoodInfrastructure.com

More than twice the capacitance of conventional multilayer ceramic capacitors—achieving large capacitance for automotive applications

TOKYO, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD., has commercialized the “MAASA32MAD7227MP1D71” (3.2 × 2.5 × 2.8 mm, maximum height), a multilayer ceramic capacitor (hereinafter “MLCC”), which complies with “AEC-Q200” certification reliability test standard for passive automotive components.

This MLCC more than doubles capacitance when compared to TAIYO YUDEN’s conventional MLCC, the MAASP32MAD7107MPCA01 (3.2 × 2.5 × 2.8 mm, maximum height; capacitance of 100 μF).

This MLCC is designed for output smoothing and decoupling applications in automotive systems, including control systems such as engine ECUs, safety systems including ABS and ADAS, and information processing systems such as instrument clusters.

Mass production of this product began in May 2026 at TAIYO YUDEN’s Tamamura Plant (Sawa-gun, Gunma Prefecture).

Technology Background
Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly multifunctional and high performance, driven by advancements in electronic controls due to the evolution of ADAS and functional upgrades through software updates in software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Achieving these capabilities demands advanced automotive electronics including internal and external vehicle networking and the implementation of scalable designs. As vehicle complexity grows, the processing capacity of ICs increases, which necessitates that the onboard MLCCs simultaneously achieve both high reliability and large capacitance.

In response to this demand, TAIYO YUDEN has commercialized the MAASA32MAD7227MP1D71, achieving large capacitance in a compact 3225-size package for automotive applications. This MLCC offers more than twice the capacitance of TAIYO YUDEN’s conventional MLCCs, and will contribute to enhancing the overall performance of advanced vehicles.

TAIYO YUDEN will continue to focus on developing products that meet market needs and further expand its lineup of MLCCs.

• Application
  For output smoothing and decoupling applications in automotive systems including control systems such as engine ECUs, safety systems such as ABS and ADAS, and information processing systems such as instrument clusters.
• Characteristics

For the detailed product lineup, refer to TAIYO YUDEN’s Web site: https://ds.yuden.co.jp/TYCOMPAS/ut/specificationSearcher?cid=C&u=M&pn=MAASA32MAD7227MP1D 71

* The names of series noted in the text are excerpted from part numbers that indicate the types and characteristics of the products, and therefore are neither product names nor trademarks.

Note: Products are tested based on the test conditions and methods defined in AEC-Q200. Please consult with TAIYO YUDEN for details of the product specifications and AEC-Q200 test results, etc., and please review and approve TAIYO YUDEN’s product specifications before ordering.

TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD. Product Inquiries: https://www.yuden.co.jp/en/contact/

Findings show Zero payout denials and 98.35% of withdrawals processed within one hour

NEW YORK, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hola Prime, the rapidly growing prop trading firm known for its industry-first 1-Hour Payout model, today announced the completion of an independent payout performance review conducted by Deloitte. The review found that 98.35% of withdrawal requests were processed within one hour, with Zero payout denials recorded across all evaluation programs, setting a new benchmark for transparency in the prop trading industry.

Deloitte examined all payout transactions processed between October 15, 2025 and March 15, 2026, providing independent validation in a sector where payout claims are often based on internal reporting or unverifiable tracking mechanisms. The findings closely align with Hola Prime’s internally published performance data, including an average payout time of under 34 minutes.

The Deloitte review confirmed that 1.65% of payouts exceeded the one-hour window due to incomplete user information or operational exceptions, rather than systemic delays. Hola Prime’s payout framework is designed to eliminate ambiguity before a withdrawal request is made, combining strict rule enforcement with real-time trader guidance to support its Zero Payout Denial Policy.

For the first time in the prop trading industry, a firm has opened its payout performance to independent review by a Big Four firm, marking a significant step toward verifiable transparency and accountability.

“Most firms talk about payouts. Very few are willing to have their numbers independently examined end-to-end,” said Somesh Kapuria, CEO of Hola Prime. “This review is not a marketing exercise, it is proof of execution. 1-hour payouts and zero payout denials aren’t promises on a website, they are outcomes that have now been independently validated. If a firm is willing to subject itself to this level of scrutiny, it signals a standard of transparency and trust this industry has rarely seen. We’ve built our systems with nothing to hide, operating at a level of integrity traders can rely on.”

The milestone is further reinforced by Hola Prime‘s growing Trustpilot presence, with over 1,000 verified reviews with an Excellent rating of 4.6 out of 5, reflecting consistent trader satisfaction. Feedback across the platform highlights fast payouts, responsive customer support and clear trading conditions as key differentiators.

The prop trading industry has faced ongoing scrutiny around payout reliability, hidden rules and lack of verifiable data. Hola Prime’s approach combining independently reviewed performance metrics with publicly visible customer feedback, aims to set a higher standard for accountability and trust.

As the firm continues to expand its global trader base across LATAM, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, it is positioning itself at the forefront of a shift toward verifiable transparency in prop trading.

About Hola Prime
Hola Prime is a global prop trading firm offering funded trading accounts to skilled traders worldwide. Known for its 1-Hour Payout model, Hola Prime provides traders with access to significant capital across major financial instruments including Forex, commodities and indices. The firm has earned industry recognition including the Global Most Transparent Prop Firm 2025 award by Finance Magnates and the Fastest Payout Prop Firm MEA 2026 award by UF Awards. With a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 and a rapidly growing trader base, Hola Prime continues to redefine expectations in prop trading.

For more information visit www.holaprime.com

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Media Contact:
Contact: Manya Bhardwaj
Email: manya@holaprime.com