THE Asean-Japan Youth Ship, Nippon Maru made port in Brunei yesterday carrying nearly 300 youths from all 10 Asean member states and Japan participating in the the Ship for South East Asia Youth Programme (SSEAYP)
As it was in previous years, local families open up their homes to house the delegates under a programme known as the "adoption" programme.
This year more than 120 families are taking in the youths to live with them during their four-day stay in the country.
A number of visits have been arranged to allow these delegates to get a better understanding and knowledge of the country's culture and traditions.
Meanwhile the ambassador of Japan to Brunei, Hashimoto Itsuo held a welcoming reception in light of the ship's arrival at the ambassador's residence in Kota Batu, yesterday.
In his speech, the ambassador expressed his gratitude towards the guest of honour, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat, the Brunei Governmentand the ship's Bruneian alumni (Bersatu Association) for their continuous support for the programme.
He said that SSEAYP was organised to promote friendship and understanding between Japan and Asean through various exchanges by the youth aboard the ship. He also spoke of his hopes of the participants gaining valuable and memorable experiences through interactions with other youths from different countries as well as through home-stays.
"Thus in due course of time, the flowers of friendship and mutual understanding among the countries and people of the region will be brought into full-bloom" he concluded.
This year, Brunei has sent 28 participants to travel along for the 52-day journey. Going along with the trip as acting supervisors to look after and monitor the participants were ten "National Leaders", one from every Asean member state as well as one national leader from Japan.
Brunei was the first stop in the tour of the Asean region after departing from Tokyo. Their next scheduled stop will beJakarta on November 12. The ship is expected to reach their final destination of Tokyo on December 10,with the Bruneian delegation returning home the following day.
The programme was started 1974, based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five Asean countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, with the aim of expanding ties with the governments and people of Asean countries.
This is the 24th time that the youth programme took in Brunei participants since the sultanate's official involvement in 1985. (MJH1 & ODM1)
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