Tokyo, Jan. 27 -- The 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) officially departed Tokyo on January 26, marking the start of a friendship voyage to several Southeast Asian countries aimed at promoting mutual understanding and international cooperation among young people.

The programme brings together 170 youth delegates from ASEAN member states and Japan aboard ship Nippon Maru, including a 16-member delegation from Vietnam.

Speaking at the departure ceremony, Mizuno Atsushi, Director-General for Policy Coordination at Japan's Cabinet Office, highlighted the long-standing close relationship between Japan and ASEAN, describing ASEAN as a strategic partner in building a free and open Asia-Pacific region.

He emp...