CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 18, 2002 - Brightening the holidays for thousands of disadvantaged children this holiday season, Bandai America Inc. announced the donation of more than $5.8 million worth of toys to the 2002 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign - the largest donation from a toy company in the country. A national corporate sponsor of Toys for Tots since 1995, Bandai more than doubled its donation from last year.

A manufacturer of popular kids brands and toy lines, Bandai's donation included Power Rangers action figures, playsets and role play items as well as Digimon and Gundam toys.

"The holidays wouldn't be the same without toys for all kids," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Bandai America Inc. "We are extremely proud to be part of such a meaningful collaboration of holiday giving through Toys for Tots, and we hope our donation helps parents during these tough times and brings smiles to kids across the country."

"In a year when corporate toy-raising has been extremely difficult, we are so appreciative to have Bandai's support and toy donations," said Major William Grein, U.S. Marine Corp (Ret) and vice president of Toys for Tots. "The success of Toys for Tots relies heavily on the support of national corporations, and Bandai's significant contributions and leadership over the past 12 years has been instrumental in our success each year. Their generosity has helped bring holiday cheer to many needy families throughout those years. I can truly say that Bandai saved many Toys for Tots programs across the country this year."

Fifty tractor-trailers will pick up the toys from Bandai's warehouse in Fontana, CA this week and will begin delivering toys to organizations across the country. Toys for Tots' local toy collection campaigns began in October of this year, and Toys for Tots Coordinators will distribute toys on December 23rd and 24th. Over the years, marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys.

About Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is now in its 55th year. Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Major William L. (Bill) Hendricks, USMCR and a handful of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children on Christmas Eve. Today, Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps' premier community action program and one of the nation's flagship Christmas charitable causes. Toys for Tots is the only charitable endeavor within the Department of Defense which reaches outside the military establishment to give something back to the communities from which our nation draws the young men and women who wear the uniforms of the armed services of the United States.

About Bandai America Incorporated

Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, with 27 subsidiaries in 8 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel. Bandai America Incorporated is the master toy licensee of the most popular properties in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Digimon, Strawberry Shortcake, and Hello Kitty product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at bandai.com.