Jakarta. The Nippon Maru ship docked at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on Friday (24/11), marking the arrival of more than 300 participants of the annual Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program, or SSEAYP, who will spend the next four days in Indonesia.

"We have conducted this program 44 times to foster friendship and mutual understanding among the countries [and also] the young leaders in global society," Ken-ichi Komagata, SSEAYP 2017 administrator, said during a press conference at the Jakarta port.

SSEAYP was launched in 1974 as a joint program by Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which only had five member countries back then.

The program promotes friendship between young people from the participating countries, and seeks to "broaden their perspective on the world, and to strengthen their spirit of international cooperation and practical skills for international collaborations."

A total of 319 young people from Japan and Asean member countries participated in this year’s program, which began in Tokyo on October 24. From there, they continued their trip to Cambodia and Thailand.

After Indonesia, the Nippon Maru is set to sail for Port Klang, Malaysia, before returning to Japan by December 12.

For around 50 days, the young people are involved in homestay programs to interact with local youths in the countries they visit.

On board the ship, they partake in discussions, seminars and solidarity group activities that seek to bring them closer to one another and learn about each other’s country and cultures.

According to Jonni Mardizal, an advisor to Indonesia's Youth and Sports Minister, SSEAYP will have a significant contribution to future Indonesian leaders.

"Graduates of this program have contributed to Indonesia in many ways. We hope this year’s intake is no different. They should learn as much as they can from the other countries," Jonni said.

Deputy foreign minister A.M. Fachir is one of the program’s alumni.

The program is sponsored by the Japanese government, with active participation and cooperation from Asean member countries.

According to Adinegoro Siswondo, the leader of the Indonesian contingent this year, one of the best thing about the program is that participants are able to share up-to-date information about their countries.

In Jakarta, the SSEAYP will visit the Asean Secretariat and stay with a local host family for two days.

"It’s an excellent program for future Asean leaders and Japan's youths," Adinegoro said.

Rahmad Hidayat, the assistant leader of the Indonesian contingent, said the program offers an international setting to sharpen their leadership skills.

"It gives us an opportunity to expand and exercise our leadership skills in an international space. It challenges us to sharpen our skills as future leaders," Rahmad said.

He said the diverse cultural backgrounds among participants of the program have not been an issue.