Special Report LAST UPDATE May 9, 2009
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April 23, 2009 International Participant Stephen Kentwell
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Stephen Kentwell, International Participant onboard the 66th voyage.
Over 500 participants departed from Japan onboard the 66th Peace Boat Global Voyage, eager to see and learn about the rest of the world, and more participants will join voyage along the way. While the majority are from Japan, participants from other countries also join Peace Boat voyages. Stephen Kentwell, a long-term resident of Japan, is also joining the voyage from Yokohama until the Peace Boat’s first stop in Xiamen, China.

Stephen, originally from Sydney, Australia, is a former officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He was assigned a variety of posts around the world, including Washington DC, before he settled in Tokyo. He now has a Japanese wife and teaches students at Hitotsubashi University. He also works as a consultant for the multinational advertising firm Dentsu. Stephen is also a maritime history enthusiast, and has contributed to and authored books on the history of Chinese shipping.
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Having visited China on a variety of occasions, Stephen shares his knowledge of Xiamen with Peace Boat's English speaking community before the ship's arrival in China.
As a maritime enthusiast, and also someone interested in Japan’s pacifist culture, Stephen has been aware of Peace Boat for a number of years, actually photographing the SS Topaz from Yokohama's landmark Bay Bridge during a Peace Boat departure ceremony in 2003. Whilst onboard, he is looking forward to learning about various topics and meeting many people. Hoping to participate in a complete Peace Boat Global Voyage in the future, Stephen would like there to be peace in the world, and believes that Peace Boat can play a strong role in the achievement of this goal.