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The International Youth Exchange program started in 1959 when the Cabinet Office implemented the "Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission Program" Mr. Kishi, then Prime Minister, proposed it to commemorate the wedding of H.M. the Emperor, who was at that time Crown Prince. In 1962 the "Invitation of Foreign Youth Program"started. |
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| Prime Minister Kishi giving the flag to the Frst Delegation (1959) |
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| In 1967 the "Japanese Youth goodwill Cruise Program"started as one of the projects to commemorate the Centennial of the Meiji Restoration. Both, the "Japanese Youth goodwill Cruise Program"and the "Invitation of Foreign Youth Program" gave a big dream and hope to the youths of Japan since the government would take the initiative to send the youths overseas at a time when it was still very difficult for them to go abroad on their own. |  |
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Departure Ceremony of the First Japanese Yoth Goodwill Cruise Program (1968) | |
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In 1974 the "Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP)"started, based on a joint statement issued by Japan and five ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Moreover, Vietnam participated in this program in 1996. The youths from each country cruise on a ship and conduct activities at ports of call. In ASEAN countries it is considered to be a great honor to participate in this program. The government of each country evaluates this program very highly | |
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| In 1979 the "Japan-China Youth Friendship Exchange Program"started in order to commemorate the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China. The "Japan-Korea Youth Friendship Exchange Program"started in 1987 to commemorate the 20th year after the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea. The characteristic of these two programs is bilateral an reciprocal exchange and expenses for sending and inviting are borne by both countries. |  |
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Courtesy call on Mr. Mihara. General Director of the Prime Minister's Office, by the representatives of the Chinese Youth (1979) | |
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The UN advocated 1985 as the "International Youth Year". Reson why the Japanese government, in a united effort with the UN, carryied out various programs. The Management and Coordination Agency started the "International Youth Village Program" which based on IYY's ideals conmemorated the begining of the IYY. In this program the participants from Japan and overseas countries deepen exchanges through a continous together-living for about one week. |
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| Village Opening Ceremony of the First International Youth Village (1985) |
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| Due to the recent expansion of the international role of Japan and the remarkable advancement in internationalization in various fields all over the world, the improvement of the contents of international youth exchange programs of the Management and Coordination Agency has been found necessary in order to cope with the changing social environment. Therefore, the first action was to reorganize and upgrade the "Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program"which became the "Ship for World Youth Program"in 1988. The contents for the program, which was mainly for sending Japanese youth overseas, was modified so that the exchange between Japanese and foreign youth became the main undertaking though special activities focused to achieve that goal. |  |
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The first voyage crossing the Panama Canal (1989) | |
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In addition, the "International Youth Development Exchange Program" started in 1994 to commemorate the wedding of H.I.H. the Crown Prince. In this program the "Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission Program" and the "Invitation of Foreign Youth Program" were reorganized and expanded in order to foster youths with a hightened international awareness by enriching the contents of the activities. | |
| First Mission to Tanzania (1994) | ||
International Youth Exchange Programs