Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > October 2013 > The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Representatives of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP)
The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Representatives of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP)
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Photograph of the Prime Minister shaking hands with the representatives of the youths participating in the SSEAYP
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address before the representatives of the youths participating in the SSEAYP (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address before the representatives of the youths participating in the SSEAYP (2)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the representatives of the youths participating in the 40th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).
The SSEAYP is a joint program inaugurated in 1974 by Japan and the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This year marks the 40th voyage.
After shaking hands with each of the representatives of the youths participating in the SSEAYP, the Prime Minister said in his address,
"Today, I am pleased to welcome everyone from all of the countries participating in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), which is making its commemorative 40th voyage.
I believe the SSEAYP has made some remarkable accomplishments. In this project, young people from Asia go aboard the same ship, spend time together to converse with each other, and give thought to an array of matters. I believe this is an invaluable experience. Participants are able to meet with diverse colleagues from countries with different histories, different cultures, different religions, different outlooks on life, or different views from their own respective countries. And I believe participants come to recognize the wonderful qualities of each country. Furthermore, I believe participants will also be able to look at their own countries' pasts and histories in a new light. In this context, it is critically important that you both reaffirm your pride in your own countries of birth, while also perceiving that people from many other countries are just like yourself.
Japan is connected to all of your countries by sea. We in Japan will work together with everyone to protect the freedom of the sea, and jointly undertake efforts to further develop Asia, a region that is democratic, respects individual rights, and upholds freedom.
The total number of people who have participated in the SSEAYP already exceeds 10,000. Like all of those who have preceded you, I hope that you will continue to treasure the friendships you have formed with the other people who participated in the program - the people who were aboard the ship with you. You are the future of Asia. I hope you will contribute to making Asia an even better world, by making use of this experience. Thank you very much."
