The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is a well-known government initiative with over 50 participating countries that brings internationalisation to Japan. By teaming up foreign English teachers with Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) in public schools, classrooms become mini hubs of cultural exchange.

And this cultural exchange goes both ways. Teachers share about their home country while engaging with Japan and its culture.

The JET Program employs:

• Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) 
• Coordinators of International Relations (CIRs)
• Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs)

Most JETs (approximately 90%) are ALTs, who assist JTEs in the classroom. CIRs help with international exchange activities and need to be relatively fluent in Japanese. SEAs coach sports and organise events and international exchange activities.

Overall, the JET Program strengthens international ties while participants experience Japanese culture, earn money and travel. 

Read more:  The Best Government Teaching Programs 

Aspiring JETs must meet several criteria to qualify, but the program is open to all ages.

General requirements:

• Show an interest in Japan and cultural exchange, with a willingness to learn Japanese.
• Be mentally and physically fit.
• ALTs and CIRs must hold a Bachelor’s degree or have one upon arrival (or a three-year teaching qualification for ALT positions).
• Be a citizen of the country from which they are applying.
• Have strong language skills in the designated language.
• Have no criminal record that would make you unsuitable for the role.

Additional requirements for ALTs:

• Be interested in Japan’s education system and language teaching.
• Be willing to engage with children.
• Have teaching qualifications or enthusiasm for language education.

Read more: 6 Differences Between Teaching Adults and Young Learners

Applicants with teaching experience, TEFL qualifications, or Japanese language proficiency are preferred. 

Participation and residency rules:

• Must not have participated in JET since 2022 or for more than six years in total.
• Must not have declined a previous JET offer without a valid reason.
• Must not have lived in Japan for six consecutive years since 2015.
• Willingness to maintain ties with Japan after JET.
• Comply with Japanese laws and immigration requirements.

Japanese ancestry and citizenship considerations

If you have Japanese ancestry, you may unknowingly hold Japanese citizenship. JET requires applicants to be citizens of another country, so you may need to renounce it. 

Check your citizenship status to avoid disqualification or extra costs like flight cancellations.

JET recruitment happens through Japanese embassies and consulates worldwide. The application period opens in October.

From April 2025, JET will offer an annual salary of ¥4,020,000 to ¥4,320,000 ($26,858 to $28,863), making it one of the best ALT jobs you can find. 

• Year 1:  ¥4,020,000
• Year 2: ¥4,140,000
• Year 3: ¥4,260,000
• Years 4 & 5:  ¥4,320,000

The competitive salary with annual increases makes for an attractive package since it boosts your ability to save. But that’s not all. 

Other benefits include a flight allowance, visa assistance, orientation, ongoing training, free Japanese lessons, social insurance, paid vacation days and, in some cases, housing support. You’ll have peace of mind as JETs are protected under Japanese labour laws. 

The JET Program offers support through a number of organisations: Prefectural Advisors (PAs), the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), and the JET Alumni Association (JETAA). 

A minimum of 10 annual paid leave days up to as many as 20 days are given, depending on your contracting organisation. When you add in Japan’s 16 national holidays, you come away with a total of 26 to 36 paid leave days. That’s basically one month! And, if you’re feeling rundown, you can take 5 to 10 paid sick days. Again, this is contract-dependent. 

Getting into the JET Program is tough. The JET acceptance rate is around 25% each year. 

When you apply to the JET Program, you can list preferred locations, but it’s not guaranteed. Placements are revealed closer to departure, so mental preparation is key for a smooth transition. Be open to a rural placement.

Try not to decline a placement, as it may make you seem uninterested in Japan. An open-minded JET would be happy with any placement since getting into the program is tough.

Declining a placement means you must wait a year to reapply, and you can’t have declined a placement without a valid reason in the previous year.

If you’re already in Japan and want to change your placement, it can be tricky. Sometimes exceptions are made for personal reasons like marriage or illness.

The JET Program website offers a wealth of resources, including videos, handbooks, and PowerPoints. It’s a user-friendly platform that serves as a reliable point of reference for JETs.

Support is further offered through pre-departure training, post-arrival training, and a Basic Online ALT Training System (BOATS). Teachers can opt to enrol in a Japanese language course before or after arrival in Japan. 

On arrival, teachers are provided with a General Information Handbook and The ALT Handbook. There are also handbooks for CIRs and SEAs.  

JETs sign a one-year contract that can be renewed for up to five years. 

If you’d like to continue working in Japan, you’ll need to have good Japanese skills and a good teaching reputation. 

Alternatively, the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) connects former JETs through 55 chapters in 19 countries, providing a valuable network for career opportunities and resources to help alumni transition into teaching roles in other countries or even other roles in education, international relations, and business.

JETs enjoy a competitive salary, annual pay raises, generous leave, and strong training and support, making it one of the best teaching packages in Japan.

A few downsides to keep in mind are that the contract won’t last forever, placement choice is restricted, and learning Japanese is part of the deal. It’s not for everyone!

Keep an open mind and embrace the experience.  This is where mental fitness is key. A new culture can be overwhelming. There will be times when you question your decision to teach in Japan, but a simple shift in perspective can turn obstacles into growth opportunities.

Read more: How to Deal With Culture Shock

Leave your comfort zone. Ask about upcoming festivals and events, join the fun and make new friends. 

Get involved. Getting involved can mean attending and/or participating in school events, volunteering in your local community or joining social groups.

Use your skills. Don’t keep your talents to yourself. If you’re a budding fashion designer, why not help with costume-making for the next school play? 

Learn Japanese. Language learning is best done through immersion. Teaching in Japan provides the perfect opportunity to practise. Practise simple greetings with colleagues and turn staffroom chit-chat into a goldmine for everyday phrases.

Travel locally or to nearby countries. Japan’s location makes travelling around Asia easy. Korea is just over an hour away by ferry, and the beautiful beaches of Bali and the Philippines are short flights away.

Think about post-JET life early. You won’t be able to stay a JET forever, so a backup plan is advised to prevent last-minute stress when your contract ends.

• Not saving money. Be intentional with how you spend your money, particularly when it comes to travelling and partying. 
• Neglecting professional development. Use this time to build skills for life after JET. 
• Being late. Tardiness is a cardinal sin in Japanese society and considered disrespectful. 
• Sticking to the expat community. Avoid expat-only interactions and engage with locals to enrich your experience.    
• Refusing to learn Japanese. It will improve communication, making your life easier. 
• Expecting life to be the same as back home. Adjust your expectations. Everything from the foods you eat to your daily routine will be different.
• Reinforcing negative stereotypes. You are there as a cultural ambassador, so be mindful of what you say and do, as it reflects on all foreigners. 

Being a JET teacher is undoubtedly a fascinating, culturally-rich experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore Japan and gain teaching experience at the same time. 

If you’re interested in teaching English in Japan and/or applying to the JET program, we can help get you there! Sign up for a Level 5 TEFL course and soon you could be skipping under the cherry blossoms.