JET Program General Information
About JET Program
The JET Program is administered by several different Japanese governmental departments, although upon acceptance into the Program, participants are actually employed by their contracting organizations (CO). COs can range from town offices, to local boards of education to individual schools. As local government employees, JET Program participants are covered under the Japanese health care system, just as other Japanese citizens.
The JET Program offers competitive and dependable salaries, comfortable living accommodations, and superb support prior to departure, while in Japan, and upon return through the various JET Alumni Associations around the world. JET participants have the chance to become an integral part of the community fabric of their Japanese "hometowns". In addition, Japanese language correspondence courses are offered to participants while on the Program. Although Japanese is not a requirement to participate in the JET Program, we encourage JETs to learn as much Japanese as possible prior to departure and while residing in Japan, as it allows for a deeper level of communication and stronger personal connections to be formed on both sides.
Positions Offered
All positions offered are in various locations throughout Japan, although there are more positions in rural areas versus urban areas. The JET contract is a one-year contract, potentially renewable for a maximum of up to five years of employment. Applicants must at least hold a Bachelor's degree as of June 27, 2025 to apply for and participate in the 2025 JET Program Year. The JET Program works on an annual cycle. If you will not have your degree by the above date, you can plan to apply to the JET Program for the departure year that fits with your graduation schedule.
ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHER (ALT)
ALTs are engaged in language instruction and make up over 90% of all JET Program participants. They are mainly assigned to local boards of education or elementary, junior high or senior high schools and carry out their duties under the guidance of language teachers’ consultants or Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) as specified by the supervisor and/or principal of the board of education and/or school.
Duties may include:
- Assisting Japanese teachers in foreign language classes taught in elementary, junior and/or senior high schools.
- Supervising foreign language activities, during or after school in elementary schools, junior and/or senior high schools.
- Preparation of class materials for teaching a foreign language.
- Providing information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers’ consultants and foreign language teachers (e.g. word usage, pronunciation, etc.)
- Helping out in extracurricular activities and club activities (e.g. class activities, homeroom activities, student council activities, club activities, school events.)
- Assistance in foreign language speech contests.
- Engagement in local international exchange activities.
- Other duties as specified by the contracting organization.
COORDINATOR FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (CIR)
CIRs are engaged in internationalization activities and translation/interpretation, and are placed in administrative offices of local authorities or related organizations. This position requires a high-degree of fluency and positions are less than 10% of all JET Program participants. Their duties are carried out as specified by the supervisor at individual contracting organizations.
Duties may include:
- Assistance in projects related to international activities carried out by the contracting organization. Such activities may include: editing, translating and compiling publications into a foreign language; assisting in planning, designing and implementing international exchange programs including international economic exchange programs; assisting in hosting official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors or for local foreign residents in the community.
- Offering language instruction of contracting organization employees and local residents. Language instruction of local residents refers to foreign language lessons and foreign culture classes for local resident children and/or adults.
- Working with and participating in activities of local private groups or organizations engaging in international exchange.
- Participating in exchange activities (including school visits) related to local residents’ cross-cultural awareness and understanding as well as in supporting activities for foreign residents in Japan.
- CIRs are required to have semi-advanced to advance Japanese language ability.
- Other duties as specified by the contracting organization.
SPORTS EXCHANGE ADVISER (SEA)
Unlike the ALT and CIR positions, the SEA position is NOT included in the yearly application cycle. Recruitment is only conducted when notice is received from a Contracting Organization, and will be targeted specifically at those with coaching qualifications or experience.
SEA participants promote international exchange activities through certain designated sports. SEAs are generally placed in sporting facilities or boards of education where they assist with sports training. SEA duties are carried out as specified by the supervisor at individual Contracting Organizations.
Duties may include:
- Assistance in sports instruction affairs at the Contracting Organization (e.g. cooperating or advising on planning, designing, and implementing sports projects).
- Cooperation in sports training of promising local athletes.
- Cooperation in sports training of employees of the Contracting Organization and local residents.
- Advising and collaborating on sports activities of local private groups or organizations engaging in international exchange.
- Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.