Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > October 2019 > Courtesy Call from Representatives of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program and Others
The Prime Minister in Action
Courtesy Call from Representatives of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program and Others
October 31, 2019
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (3)
[Provisional Translation]
On October 31, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from representatives participating in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) and others, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“I would like to sincerely welcome all of you to Japan who have come as the representatives of the countries participating in the 46th SSEAYP.
Since I became Prime Minister, I have visited all ten of your countries, and received truly warm hospitality in each of them. Next week, I will attend the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting being hosted in Thailand, and we will discuss important topics for both Japan and ASEAN.
It is people who will carve out the future, and as such, the power of youth, which you all have, will be vital in creating the future of Japan and ASEAN.
The SSEAYP is a program devoted to fostering that power of youth, and has promoted exchanges among young people of Japan and ASEAN for nearly half a century. A total of 12,000 young people have participated in this program so far, and building on this experience, they have made a significant contribution in a variety of fields.
Japan and the world are now entering an age of diversity. During your voyage you will likely make many new friends with different cultures, histories, and values. I hope that close bonds will be fostered by having extensive conversations with each other, learning about the wonderful qualities of each other’s countries, and reaffirming your pride in the country that you were born and raised. I hope you will learn the importance of respecting each other’s culture, values, histories, and one another.
You all still have long lives ahead, and I would like you to make full use of this experience in your lives and your futures. I also hope you will dedicate yourselves to the development of your regions or countries, or contribute to the peace and stability of Asia, taking advantage of this network, after you return.
I would like to close my address by praying for all of your bright futures.”
