The cruise ship Nippon Maru, arrived in Nuku'alofa this morning with 283 youths from 12 different countries on a voyage in the South Pacific that aims to foster cooperation and friendship among youth leaders on board.

Nuku'alofa is the first port of call for the 21st Ship for World Youth SWY 21, 2009.

The SWY program started in 1989 as an initiative of the Cabinet of the Government of Japan with an objective to promote mutual understanding between youths of different nationalities "thus developing the spirit of international cooperation and friendship with each other," explained Mr Tanaka, the leader of the SWY 21. He said that the objective of the program is to expand the international perspective of the youths "who are the leaders of the future, thus fostering cooperation and friendship with each other."

He said this is the third time Nippon Maru has called into Tonga and that "it symbolises the deep friendship between Tonga, Japan and the other countries which are represented in the program. Tonga started participating in the SWY program in 1991."

Youth leaders

There are 12 Tongan youth on board with national youth leader Gloria Guttenbeil who said the experience had been invaluable, "because living and engaging together with youths from various countries of the world has broadened my view on life."

The youth on board come from Japan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Yemen, Peru, Norway, Canada, Egypt, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga.

During their three-days stay in Nuku'alofa the 12 Tongans youth will be given the chance to showcase Tonga and the youth will visit various schools and villages throughout Tongatapu.

This afternoon there was a welcome ceremony for them at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall, hosted by the Ministry of Education.

The Nippon Maru left Yokohama, Japan, on January 23. After a three-days stop over in Nuku'alofa it will leave for New Zealand on Saturday, February 7 where it will also stop for three-days before sailing for Vanuatu, where it is expected on February 19.

The Nippon Maru is expected to complete its voyage in Tokyo on March 5.