Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > January, 2005

Representatives of "Ship for World Youth Program" Pay Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Wednesday, January 12, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from youths of Japan and 12 nations all around the world representing participants in the "Ship for World Youth Program" at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The "Ship for World Youth Program" is one of the international youth exchange programs of the Government of Japan. In this program, the Japanese and foreign youth spend time together on board the ship and engage in various discussions on common issues from global perspectives, and carry out various exchange activities both on board and in the countries they visit. The purpose of the program is to promote a friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Japan and the nations participating in the program and to expand their global perspectives. A total of approximately 260 participants from 12 countries, aside from Japan, including Australia, Canada, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Mauritius, the United Mexican States, New Zealand, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Turkey, the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are participating in this year's program. They will visit Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands by the beginning of March. Prime Minister Koizumi, after shaking hands with each of the participating youths, said, "The purpose of the voyage is to develop friendly ties. It is very important for all of you to develop strong ties and share various experiences with one another. Traveling together by the 'ship for world youth' will definitely be a valuable experience. Japan will be most pleased if you would utilize the experiences and knowledge you attained from the voyage upon your return. I am confident that this experience will be a meaningful one for all of you."