Ship for World Youth
Costa Rica

Building Leaders for a Global World

The Program

What is the Ship for World Youth Program?

Ship for World Youth (SWY) is a unique international youth exchange program organized by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. Running since 1988, it is one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the world.

The program brings together young people from Japan and countries across the globe to study global issues, engage in cultural exchange, and develop leadership skills — both onshore in Japan and aboard the Nippon Maru cruise ship as it visits different ports around the world.

Each edition includes conferences, workshops, seminars, cultural presentations, institutional visits and social activities designed to foster mutual understanding across cultures and nations.

Participants form alumni associations in their home countries, contributing to a lasting global network committed to international cooperation and leadership.

All participants aboard Nippon Maru SWY participants in Japan Ship for World Youth group
'59
1959
Japan launches the Goodwill Mission Program — the beginning of international youth exchange under PM Kishi.
'67
1967
The Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program begins as part of the Meiji Restoration Centenary.
'85
1985
The UN declares the International Year of Youth. Japan and the UN launch the International Youth Village Program.
'88
1988
Program reborn as Ship for World Youth (SWY), with genuine mutual exchange between Japanese and international youth as its core mission.
CR
1989 – Present
Costa Rica participates in 9 SWY editions, sending 126 young leaders aboard the Nippon Maru.
'26
2026
The Nippon Maru is taken out of service. The program continues, now taking place every two years with a new format.
Costa Rica Aboard

Our Delegations

SWY 1
1989
1st delegation
SWY 3
1991
⭐ Ship visited CR
SWY 5
1993
⭐ Ship visited CR
SWY 9
1997
⭐ Ship visited CR
SWY 13
2000
5th delegation
SWY 17
2005
6th delegation
SWY 20
2008
7th delegation
SWY 25
2013
8th delegation
SWY 29
2017
9th delegation
SWY 33
2020
Invited · Program cancelled
First Costa Rica delegation — SWY 1, 1989 SWY 9 group photo in Kochi, Japan Ship departure with streamers

Costa Rica has been invited to participate in the Ship for World Youth program 10 times since 1989 — sending 126 young leaders on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

The Nippon Maru docked in Costa Rica three times: during SWY 3 (1991, Puntarenas), SWY 5 (1993, Puntarenas) and SWY 9 (1997, Caldera) — bringing the world's youth directly to our shores.

Each delegation represents months of preparation, cultural exchange, and lifelong friendships. Delegates return home as ambassadors of leadership and the enduring friendship between Costa Rica and Japan.

Costa Rica was invited to participate in SWY 33, however the program was cancelled by the Japanese Government before the selection process began due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Costa Rica folk dance aboard the ship
View all 9 delegations in detail →
Our Association

SWYAA Costa Rica

SWYAA Costa Rica was founded in February 1998 as the Asociación de Exparticipantes del Barco para los Jóvenes del Mundo, after Costa Rica's participation in four SWY delegations and the formation of a significant alumni community.

The association is formally registered in Costa Rica and collaborates with the International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan (IYEO), the Japanese Embassy in Costa Rica, local government institutions, and alumni associations from other countries.

We are part of the global SWYAA network led by Ship for World Youth International in Japan, which sets shared priorities and coordinates activities across all member countries worldwide.

1
Comply with SWYAA International requirementsMaintain membership and reporting standards set by Ship for World Youth International.
2
Efficient administrationRun the association with transparency, sound financial management and modern internal systems.
3
Build key alliancesStrengthen ties with the Japanese Embassy, government agencies, JICA and NGOs in Costa Rica.
4
Promote SWYAA Costa RicaIncrease visibility of the program and association among young Costa Ricans.
5
Engage SWYersCreate meaningful events and projects that bring our alumni community together.
Café SWYer 2025 gathering
Alumni gathering Costa Rica
Cultural presentation
2024–2026

Board of Directors

Manuel Antonio Sequeira in President
Alejandro Hernández in Vice President
Inés Amador in Secretary
Keiner Jiménez in Treasurer
Alonso Villalobos in Vocal
Tatiana Salgado Statutory Auditor
What We Do

Association Activities

Café SWYer 2025
Alumni gathering
CR cultural presentation on ship
All participants on deck
Ship for World Youth group
Pre-GA SWY Jungle Costa Rica
⭐ Featured Upcoming Event
Pre-Global Assembly
SWY Jungle Costa Rica 🌿
📅 Nov 2–5, 2026 💵 $400 double / $550 single 📍 Costa Rica
A unique 4-day nature and cultural experience held before the SWYAA Global Assembly. Join SWYers from around the world to explore Costa Rica's biodiversity, indigenous culture and natural wonders.
Day 1 · Mon Nov 2
✈ Arrival · Hotel check-in San José · Welcome dinner
Day 2 · Tue Nov 3
🚌 Walking tour SJ · Drive to La Fortuna · Conservation Workshop · Hot Springs
Day 3 · Wed Nov 4
🌿 Maleku Indigenous Territory · La Fortuna Waterfall · Optional night wildlife tour
Day 4 · Thu Nov 5
🦜 Private wildlife reserve · Drive back to San José Airport
Limited spots! Contact SWYAA Costa Rica to make your reservation — info@swycostarica.com
Conference "Gambatte! The Art of Overcoming Difficulties" — Virtual talk by SWY 17 alumna María Fernanda Torres
HANAMI Festival San José 2025 — Japanese cherry blossom celebration open to the community
School Supplies Donation 2024 & 2025 — 30 packages donated to children in need
Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Costa Rica–Japan Relations
Official Board visit to the Japanese Embassy in Costa Rica
Participation in the Foro de la Amistad Pura Vida Costa Rica–Japan (Palmares, August 2024)
Website Launch — Digital home for SWYAA Costa Rica at swycostarica.com
History of SWY in Costa Rica — Documentary archive of all 10 delegations published online
SWYAA Global Assembly Sweden 2024 — Board member represented Costa Rica internationally
SWYAA Morning Assembly 2025 — Online event with 21 participants from 9 countries
SWY36 Open Ship Program — Attended the Nippon Maru open event in Japan
Meeting with SWYAA Spain — Bilateral exchange between Costa Rican and Spanish alumni
Meeting with JICA Costa Rica — Building cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency
Meeting with Asociación Monbukagakusho — Connecting with Costa Rica–Japan scholarship alumni
Delegation to SWYAA Global Assembly Egypt 2025 — November 22–27, 2025
Café SWYer 2025 — Community gathering at Cafeoteca Barrio Escalante, January 11, 2025
Social gathering at Luli and Alberto Borbón's home — 2023
Christmas Café SWYer 2022 — Holiday gathering for alumni
Japan at FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2022 — Alumni attended Japan's match together in Costa Rica
Pre-GA SWY Jungle Costa Rica — Nov 2–5, 2026 · La Fortuna · Wildlife, conservation & culture (see featured event above)
SWY Forest Costa Rica — Environmental project: planting trees, connecting SWYers with Costa Rica's biodiversity
Delegation to SWYAA Global Assembly Mexico 2026 — November 5–10, 2026
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister of Japan funds and organizes the Ship for World Youth program each year.
Annually until 2026, then every two years. Each program different countries are invited to participate. Follow SWYAA Costa Rica's social media to know when Costa Rica is next invited.
Participants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the program.
No — only Costa Rican citizens are eligible to apply through SWYAA Costa Rica.
It depends on the specific situation. Please contact SWYAA Costa Rica directly to discuss your case.
Generally six weeks, running from January to February each year.
The number varies each year. In 2025, approximately 190 young people from around the world participated.
The program is fully funded by the Japanese Government — including flights, accommodation, meals and transport. Participants cover travel insurance, uniforms, gifts and personal expenses.
No — all participants must travel together as a delegation throughout the program, including arrival and departure.
Conferences, workshops, institutional visits, seminars, cultural activities, national presentations and social events — both onshore in Japan and aboard the Nippon Maru.
SWYAA Costa Rica

Contact SWYAA Costa Rica

Questions about the program, activities or how to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.

✉️
Email
info@swycostarica.com
📘
Facebook
SWYAA Costa Rica
📍
Location
San José, Costa Rica