Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program
The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (東南アジア青年の船 Tōnan-ajia-seinen-no-fune?), commonly referred to as The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program and SSEAYP /sjɑːp/ (
listen), /siːˈjɑːp/ see-YAHP, is an annual youth exchange program organised by the Cabinet Office of Japan and governments of Southeast Asian countries for the purpose of promoting friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of eleven Southeast Asian countries and Japan, to broaden their perspective on the world, and furthermore, to strengthen their spirit of international cooperation and practical skills for international collaboration. Since its inception in 1974, the program has organised 46 international voyages attended by youth delegations sent by governments of respective members.
Four cruise ships have been deployed by the CaO for the journeys.
Purpose
The purpose of SSEAYP is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of the ten Southeast Asian countries and Japan, to broaden their perspective to the world, and furthermore, to strengthen their spirit of international cooperation and practical skills for international collaboration.
History
SSEAYP is an annual programme sponsored by the Japanese Cabinet Office and supported by the member-countries of ASEAN. The programme brings together more than 300 youths from ASEAN countries and Japan, providing them with the unique opportunity to live together on board the ship Nippon Maru for over 40 days.
SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Viet Nam joined the programme in 1995 while the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Myanmar joined in 1998, Cambodia in 2000.
Program Outline
On Board Activities
- Discussion Group (DG)
- Solidarity Group Activity (SG Activity)
- Participating Youth Seminar (PY Seminar)
- Voluntary Activity (VA)
- National Presentation (NP)
- Flag Hoisting
Port-of-Call Activities
- Courtesy Calls
- Institutional Visits
- Interaction with Local Youths
- Homestay Program
Working Language
The official working language for the program is English.
Participating Countries
| Country | Year of joining SSEAYP |
|---|---|
 Brunei Darussalam |
1985 |
 Cambodia |
2000 |
 Indonesia |
1974 |
 Japan |
1974 |
 Lao People's Democratic Republic |
1998 |
 Malaysia |
1974 |
 Myanmar |
1998 |
 Philippines |
1974 |
 Singapore |
1974 |
 Thailand |
1974 |
 Vietnam |
1995 |
Cruise Ships in Use
| Period | Ship | Current status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 - 1976 | Nippon Maru (A) | ||
| 1976 - 1989 | Nippon Maru (B) | ||
| 1990 - 2008 | Nippon Maru (C) | ||
| 2009 - 2012 | Fuji Maru | ||
| 2013 - Present | Nippon Maru (C) |
SSEAYP International General Assembly (SIGA)
1. 1988 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
2. 1989 Philippines (Quezon City)
3. 1990 Brunei Darussalam (Bandar Seri Begawan)
4. 1991 Indonesia (Jakarta)
5. 1992 Singapore
6. 1993 Thailand (Bangkok)
7. 1994 Japan (Tokyo)
8. 1995 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands)
9. 1996 Philippines (Pasay City)
10. 1997 Brunei Darussalam (Bandar Seri Begawan)
11. 1998 Philippines (Clark)
12. 1999 Singapore
13. 2000 Indonesia (Bali)
14. 2001 Thailand (Bangkok, Ko Samet)
15. 2002 Japan (Tokyo)
16. 2004 Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Malacca)
17. 2005 Viet Nam (Hanoi, Halong Bay)
18. 2006 Brunei Darussalam (Bandar Seri Begawan)
19. 2007 Cambodia (Siem Reap)
20. 2008 Philippines (Cebu)
21. 2009 Indonesia (Yogyakarta)
22. 2010 Thailand (Ayutthaya)
23. 2011 Singapore
24. 2012 Japan (Tokyo)
25. 2013 Lao P.D.R. (Vientiane)
26. 2014 Malaysia (Langkawi)
27. 2015 Viet Nam (Hanoi, Halong Bay)
28. 2016 Cambodia (Siem Reap)
29. 2017 Philippines (Iloilo, Boracay)
30. 2018 Indonesia (Bandung)
31. 2019 Brunei Darussalam (Bandar Seri Begawan)
Alumni Organisations
Secretariat
SSEAYP International (coordinated with IYEO)
Full Member
Brunei Darussalam : Persatuan BERSATU (SSEAYP International Brunei Darussalam/SI Brunei Darussalam)
Cambodia : SSEAYP International Cambodia (SI Cambodia)
Indonesia : SSEAYP International Indonesia, Inc. (SI Indonesia/SII)
Japan : IYEO (International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan)
Malaysia : KABESA (SSEAYP International Malaysia/SI Malaysia)
Myanmar : Association for Youth Development Myanmar (SSEAYP International Myanmar/SI Myanmar)
Philippines : SSEAYP International Philipplines, Inc. (SI Philippines/SIP)
Singapore : SSEAYP International Singapore (SI Singapore/SIS)
Thailand : Association of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth of Thailand (SSEAYP International Thailand/SI Thailand)
Associate Member
Lao P.D.R. : Lao SSEAYP Alumni Association (LSAA)
Viet Nam : Vietnam Alumni Club of Youth Friendship Exchange Programs (VACYF)
Data is per 1 April 2020