Imagine yourself boarding a ship with three hundreds of youth from Japan and ASEAN, sailing the South China Sea for two months, learning other cultures, and making lifelong friendships with them. All these may well describe the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme.
Who organises this programme?
The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP, Program Kapal Pemuda Asia Tenggara dan Jepang) was initiated in 1974 by the Government of Japan in cooperation with five ASEAN member states. With the enlargement of ASEAN, since 1997 all ten ASEAN member states have participated in this programme.
What is the aim of SSEAYP?
SSEAYP aims at fostering friendship and mutual understanding amongst the youth in Japan and Southeast Asia. It is also meant to strengthen international network and cooperation in the region.
When and how long does the programme run for?
The programme runs for approximately two months, usually from late October to mid-December. It takes place in Japan and five ASEAN port-of-calls, which usually change every year.
What do participants do?
Participants from ASEAN member states fly to Japan, from which they will board the ship (1974-2008 M.S. Nippon Maru, 2009-2012 M.S. Fuji Maru, 2013-now M.S. Nippon Maru) that sails to the port-of-calls. The activities during SSEAYP, then, are divided into on-board activities and country programmes.
On-board activities include:
- Discussions
- Solidarity group activities
- Club activities
- Voluntary activities
- National performances
- Flag-hoisting ceremonies
Country programmes include:
- Exhibitions
- Courtesy calls
- Institutional visits
- Interaction with the local youth
- Homestay
- Send-off ceremonies
How can I find out more about the programme?
Please visit