The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) 2023

The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese 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.

Brunei Darussalam joined the Program in 1985, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1996. Lao people’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar joined the Program in 1998.Furthermore in 2000, the Kingdom of Cambodia also joined the Program.

The Program is carried out by the Government of Japan (through the Office for International Youth Exchange of the Cabinet Office) with the active participation and cooperation of these ten Southeast Asian countries.

Purpose

The purpose of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Japan and the ASEAN member countries by participating in various exchange activities both online and face-to-face.

It aims to broaden their perspective on the world, and furthermore to strengthen their spirit of international cooperation and practical skills for international collaboration. As a result, it is expected to cultivate the leaders of the next generation who are capable of exercising their leadership skills in various fields in the globalizing society.

Participating Countries

There were 10 participating countries in the program, and a total of 110 Participating Youth (PYs) joined the program.

• Brunei Darussalam
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Lao P.D.R.
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Viet Nam
• Japan

Program in Tokyo

Inauguration Ceremony

An Inauguration Ceremony (gathering all PYs) was organized on November 30.

Discussion Program

Under the common theme of “What youth can do in the new era of cooperation commemorating the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation,” following five discussion themes related to SDGs were set. PYs were divided into each Discussion Group (DG), comprising two PYs from ASEAN member countries and four PYs from Japan to exchange their opinions.

1. Quality Education
2. Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
3. Economic Growth and Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. Energy, Measures against Climate Change, Recycling-oriented Society
5. Good Health and Well-being

Presentation of Discussion Results and Farewell Ceremony

Presentation of Discussion Results and Farewell Ceremony was held on December 7.

Local Program

Local program was held in Yamagata, Yamanashi, Aichi, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima from December 1 to December 4.

Activities of local program

• Institutional visit
• Courtesy call
• Homestay
• Experience of Japanese traditional arts
• Interaction with local youths

The 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation

The year 2023 marks the 50th commemorative year of ASEAN-Japan relations. ASEAN-Japan relations have made remarkable progress since 1973.

To commemorate this occasion, the Cabinet Office invited the representatives of governments and SSEAYP alumni associations to Japan to express gratitude to all governments and concerned parties and to ask for further cooperation in the future.

The representatives of the governments and SSEAYP alumni associations stayed in Japan for four days from December 6 to 9 and attended the Commemorative.

Event for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held at Hotel New Otani Tokyo on the afternoon of December 7. The NLs and PYs of the 47th SSEAYP also attended the Commemorative Event, which was also attended by the ambassadors of the respective embassies of the Southeast Asian countries in Tokyo.

On December 8, the representatives of the governments and SSEAYP alumni associations attended the Second Conference of the Representatives of the Southeast Asian Countries and Japan in the morning, followed by the SSEAYP Alumni Meeting in the afternoon, which was attended by the representatives of the SSEAYP alumni associations.

Report of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) in 2023

• Cover, Preface, Table of Contents (PDF: 495KB)
• Photos (PDF: 1,571KB)
• Chapter 1: Outline of the Program (PDF: 199KB)
• Chapter 2: Planning and Preparation (PDF: 324KB)
• Chapter 3: Online Exchange Program (PDF: 461KB)
• Chapter 4: Face-to-face Exchange Program (PDF: 629KB)
• Chapter 5: The 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation (PDF: 298KB)
• Chapter 6: Discussion Program and Post-Program Session (PDF: 523KB)
• Chapter 7: Evaluations and Suggestions (PDF: 666KB)
• Appendices (PDF: 291KB)