Japanese research vessel Bosei Maru docked at the Matautu wharf in Apia yesterday with 98 students and 14 faculty staff from Japan's Tokai University.

The university staff and students hope to study and get to know more about Samoan culture over the three days they will be in port.

According to Tokai University head faculty representative, Kazuhari Yoshida, the visit to Samoa marks the ship's fourth time in Samoa and they are excited to be in the country. 

“This is the 50th year anniversary for this overseas educational cruise.

“We want to see Samoan culture and study everything Samoa we like Samoa culture people and food, everything,” he told the media crew that were present on the vessel presentation yesterday.

Japanese Ambassador to Samoa, Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki, said he was pleased to welcome the ship to Samoa and called the vessel a “friendship and peaceful ship from Japan.”

“Japan has had various assistance to this country but friendship and mutual understanding is most important between the young generations for the future leader of this country,” he said.

The Japanese students and faculty staffs are set to participate in an exchange program at the National University of Samoa today at Le Papaigalagala in order to give the foreigners a taste of Samoan culture.

“In this cruise we have planned to exchange programs with only Samoa, we are stopping over at other ports but exchange programs with only Samoa,” said Mr. Yoshida.

Honami Kosuge, the student leader on the ship, said she cannot wait to experience Samoan culture, especially traditional Samoan dancing which she claimed to have seen and liked so much.

“Samoa has an extraordinary culture and we are interested in Samoan culture as well as it has similarities to our Japanese cultures.

“We think Samoa is the most important pacific island and I am excited to experience what is it really like,” she said.

The University's Overseas Educational Cruise is an educational program, which allows students to visit various nations on a research and training expedition and is owned by Tokai University. 

Its goal is to provide students with an opportunity to learn the importance of cultural differences, environmental issues and cooperation by experiencing firsthand, international communication through overseas cruising and living aboard a ship with their peers.