The SSEAYP has become a symbol of friendship between Japan and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asuki Ojima from the Japanese Cabinet Office said at the opening session. He added that enhancement of friendship between Japan and ASEAN members would be an important and necessary element for peace and development of nations.

More than 9,000 youths from 11 countries have, to date, joined the SSEAYP, he said.

Ojima and representatives from ASEAN embassies signed a memorandum of understanding, stressing that all sides highly valued SSEAYP programme in promoting friendship and mutual understanding among Japanese and ASEAN youth. Also, Japan and ASEAN countries pledged to continue cooperation to accelerate the programme.
Within the 36th SSEAYP, 315 youths from Japan and Southeast Asian nations will spend 53 days on board the ship Fuji Maru, departing from Yokohama port of Japan on November 6.

They are scheduled to visit five ASEAN countries – the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar and Thailand – to join group discussions on youth-related issues and introduce each other to the culture of their country.

The programme was initiated in 1974 by the Japanese government. Vietnam began participating in the programme in 1995.