The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) is based on the respective joint statement issued in January 1974 between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand. Negara Brunei Darussalam has joined this program officially in 1985, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1996, and then the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar in 1998. The Kingdom of Cambodia participated in this program as an observer since 1997.

The purpose of this program is to promote and strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Southeast Asian countries and Japan, as well as to broaden their international viewpoint and to cultivate the spirit of international cooperation. These goals are promoted by providing the participants with an opportunity to live together and carry out various activities on board the ship, to visit the participating countries, and to be engaged in such activities as visits to various institutions and goodwill exchanges with local youths.

Photo: Japan PM at Courtesy Call of SSEAYP 2001 (Sep)