[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from youth representatives participating in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I sincerely welcome all the representatives of the countries participating in the 43nd Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) to Japan.

Since I became Prime Minister, I have visited all 10 of your home countries. I enjoyed warm hospitality in all the places I visited.

ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary since its establishment next year. I expect that ASEAN will continue to take the lead on regional stability and prosperity as a partner with which Japan shares fundamental values.

Through our cooperation with ASEAN, Japan has learned many things, and carried out overseas cooperation that puts people first. I want everyone in each of the ASEAN countries to become prosperous and happy. I want us to think together and work together to achieve that.

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is one measure of cooperation to that end. This program has played a major role in exchanges between youth in Japan and Southeast Asian countries ever since it began in 1974. A total of over 10,000 youths have participated in this program, and they are currently working hard in their respective fields.

While you are on the ship, you will likely meet many new friends with different histories, cultures, religions, and basic values. I hope that you will speak at great lengths, learn about how wonderful each other’s cultures are, develop pride in your own culture, and foster deep bonds.

I hope that the experiences you have and friendships you foster aboard the ship will serve as great assets for you in your endeavors to contribute to Asian and global peace and development.”