The 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP)
The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) was launched in 1974 as a joint project between Japan and ASEAN member countries, based on the respective Joint Statements issued between Japan and respective ASEAN member countries. The program involves a ship journey where Japanese and ASEAN youth live together, participate in discussions, and engage in cultural exchanges for approximately 35 days. The program aims to foster friendship, mutual understanding, and international cooperation among the participating youth.
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. Kingdom of Cambodia also joined the Program in 2000. Furthermore in 2026, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste joined the Program, following their respective admission to ASEAN.
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 Southeast Asian countries.
Purpose
The aims of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) are to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Japan and the Southeast Asian countries, 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 youth who are capable of exercising their leadership skills in various fields in the globalizing society and contributing to society in the areas of youth development.
Participating Countries
There were 11 participating countries in the program, and a total of 169 Participating Youths (PYs) joined the program.
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Lao P.D.R.
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Viet Nam
- Japan
Program Contents
During the 49th SSEAYP (January 15 to February 17, 2026) for 34 days, PYs participated in Country Program in Japan (Tokyo program, Local program), Onboard Program, Country Programs in Singapore and Thailand.
The participants took part in various kinds of exchange activities including presentations about each country’s characteristics and seminars organized by PYs.
Tokyo Program
(1) Program period
- Thursday, January 15 - Friday, January 16, 2026
- Wednesday, January 21 – Saturday, January 24, 2026
(2) Activities
- Inauguration Ceremony
- Orientation
- Field Study
- National Presentation
- Cultural Exchange Program
Inauguration Ceremony
DG6 Field Study
(SAP Japan)
Local Program
Participating youth were divided into mixed-nationality groups and visited five local destinations in Japan. At each location, they conducted courtesy call, homestay, and exchanges with local youth.
(1) Program period
- Saturday, January 17 – Tuesday, January 20, 2026 (４ days）
(2) Destination
- Iwate
- Chiba
- Toyama
- Tokushima
- Nagasaki
(3) Activities
- Courtesy Call
- Homestay
- Interaction with local youth
Experiencing the creation
Kumiko woodwork in Toyama
Courtesy Call on Governor
of Tokushima
First meeting with host family
at Homestay Matching in Nagano
Onboard Program
(1) Program period
- Sunday, January25 - Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Monday, February 9 – Tuesday, February 10, 2026
(12 days in total)
(2) Activities
- Discussion Program
Discussion program was going under based on the matters agreed upon by the leaders of each country in the Joint Vision Statement 2023 Implementation Plan for Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation (17th December 2023), there were six “discussion themes.” Each Discussion Group (DG) comprised more or less the same number of PYs from different contingents. The following are six discussion themes.
- Quality Education
- Economic Growth and Sustainable & Responsible Tourism
- Global Environment and Climate Change
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
- Social Welfare and Inclusion
- Digital Society and AI
- Post-Program Sessions
Post-Program Sessions intend to deepen PYs’ understanding of the SSEAYP International, its mission, objectives, and activities, and to encourage them to actively participate or organize post-program activities. - Peer Learning (PL) Seminars
PL Seminars focus on sharing and discussing PY’s knowledge and experiences with a relatively small number of PYs in peer learning style. - Solidarity Group (SG) Activities
Each SG shall carry out activities to deepen mutual understanding and to promote friendship among PYs in each SG. - National Presentation （NP）
NP is an activity where the PYs further deepen understanding of each country by introducing indigenous traditions, cultures, history, national character, current situation surrounding youth in their countries, etc. - Voluntary Activities (VA)
VA is an activity in which a PY or a group of PYs can freely organize various events and seminars with clear goals and objectives.
Discussion Program
Peer Learning Seminar
Activities in the Countries visited
Activities in the port of call country were planned and implemented by the government of the host country and the Reception Committee. In the 49th SSEAYP, the Summary Forum, Farewell Ceremony, and Farewell Reception hosted by the Government of Japan were held in Bangkok since the program itself ended in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Reception Committee included members from the Alumni Associations of each country, and the ex-participating youth played a central role in implementing the port-of-call activities.
Singapore
The five-day port of call activities in Singapore included homestay with local families, courtesy call on government official and filed study that involved visiting local universities and interacting with local youth.
(1) Program period
- Wednesday, February 4 – Sunday, February 8, 2026 (5 days）
(2) Activities
- Welcome Dinner
- Courtesy Call on the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
- Field Study
- Homestay
Courtesy Call on Mr. David Neo, Acting Minister
for Culture, Community and Youth
DG3 Field Study
(Sembcorp Floating Solar Farm)
Thailand
The six-day port of call activities in Thailand included homestay with local families, exchanges with local youth, and institutional visit at various facilities such as government agencies, international organizations, and companies.
(1) Program period
- Wednesday, February 11 – Monday, February 16, 2026 (6 days）
(2) Activities
- Welcome Ceremony
- Welcome Dinner
- Institutional Visit
- Homestay
- Summary Forum
- Farewell Ceremony
- Farewell Party
Institutional Visit
(Thai Parliament)
Summary Forum
