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On January 24, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office from representatives of youths participating in the Ship for World Youth Leaders program.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the participants in the Ship for World Youth Leaders program.

Since assuming the office of Prime Minister, I have had opportunities to meet with leaders from all over the world, in Japan and overseas. Of course, I have met with the leaders of the countries where all the participants here today come from. They are engaged in various efforts to further develop their countries, and to contribute to their regions and the world, and I have learned many things from them.

I was told that all of you here play active roles in organizations such as governments, international organizations, companies, and NGOs. You are all truly the future leaders in your respective organizations. Through this program, I hope that you will learn about what true leadership should be.

I believe that the time you spend out at sea together with your friends and colleagues, isolated from the outside world, will be an invaluable time for you.

The participants whom you will spend your time with in this program will become precious assets to you, even as you work for your respective countries and regions as a leader. Through this program, I hope that you will broaden your horizons and perspective, and forge friendships.

It is my hope that you will achieve even greater success by utilizing the networks built up through this program.

In closing, I would like to welcome you sincerely to this program, and to Japan.”