What Is Interac In Japan?

As a dispatch company, Interac acts as the employer and takes on the administrative load regarding recruitment, contracts, salaries, teacher placement and other related tasks. This means that while ALTs aren’t part of the school staff, they’ll still need to follow basic rules like being on time, handling their duties responsibly, and staying professional.

ALTs support English education in public schools by:

• Assisting Japanese teachers of English (JTEs)
• Leading English classes with a JTE present 
• Encouraging learners to develop a global perspective
• Participating in extracurricular activities

ALTs teach at elementary, junior high, and high schools. 

Rural placements are the norm. You may state your preferences during the initial hiring process, but this is not guaranteed. 

Recruitment generally happens in Spring and Fall/Autumn, although Interac does hire all year-round. 

Interac recruits from 24 countries, including South Africa, Australia, Sweden, Canada, the U.S., Nigeria, Kenya, India, Norway, and France!

Interac has a straightforward application and hiring process. All applications are done online through an online application system. 

Next, you complete a registration form. Your application will be reviewed, and a recruiter will get in touch if you are successful.  

Once you’ve passed the initial screening, you’ll have a phone interview followed by an online interview. Then, you will submit the required documents, including a teaching demonstration video for review by Interac management. 

Read more: How To Make A Kickass Teaching Demo Video For Teaching English Online

If you pass this stage, you’ll receive an offer of employment. 

The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application is made four to six months before departure. The CoE and copies of your documents are required for the visa application process. 

Interac recommends having the required documents ready prior to starting the application process. Required documents include copies of your passport, degree, resume, photos, and a criminal background check.

Pre-departure training begins online, and the rest of the training continues upon arrival.

• Native-level English speaker
• 12-year English education
• Bachelor’s degree in any subject
• Clean criminal record
• Be under 60 years old
• Be an upbeat and professional team player
• Undergo a health check (includes drug screening)

There are also preferred requirements that are not mandatory, like a teaching qualification, teaching experience, a driver’s license, a second language in school or university and basic Japanese skills. 

The entire application and hiring process can take up to 10 months, depending on the intake season and whether you apply from inside or outside Japan. 

The online application and initial interview take about two to three weeks. 

After document submission and review, an offer of employment is usually made within one month. The CoE application process begins four to six months before arrival. 

For Spring recruits (April start) who apply between May and December, the COE and visa process runs from November to March.

For Fall recruits (September start) who apply between January and April, the COE and visa process runs from May to August.

Schedule

Weekdays 8am – 5pm

25 45-minute classes a week

Salaries

 Between ¥2,400,000 to ¥2,700,000 ($16,500 – $19,000) a year

≅ ¥200,000–¥225,000 ($1,375 – per month – $1,600) a month

Interac contracts are in line with the Japanese academic year, starting 1 April and ending 31 March. Salary adjustments are made for the first and final month of employment as these periods involve start-of-year activities or assessments that affect the teaching schedule.

New ALTs must wait six to eight weeks for their first paycheck. Aim to save around ¥500,000 ($3,500) for setup costs and living expenses until then.

Salary deductions:

• National income tax 
• Employment insurance
• Social insurance

Residence tax is not deducted from the monthly salary. ALTs are responsible for paying this to their local municipality if they have been living in Japan for longer than a year. 

Benefits

Paid leave

ALTs can enjoy a three-day summer holiday (Obon) and rest easy during New Year’s celebrations and national holidays knowing money is still coming in. ALTs also receive five personal days if you’ve worked longer than three months.

Visa sponsorship

Interac has an efficient visa system which ensures a speedy turn-around time for visas for ALTs.

Covered commuting expenses

Interac reimburses commuting expenses for travel between your school and home. This does not include the cost of transportation from the airport to your accommodation upon arrival.

Social insurance

Most Interac ALTs are enrolled in Japan’s social insurance system (shakai hoken), which includes health insurance and pension. The cost was equally split between employer and employee, but as of 1 April 2025 employers will pay the bigger portion.

• Employee contribution: 0.55%
• Employer contribution: 0.9% 

Training and support

Interac provides all new recruits with online pre-departure training, followed by in-person orientation and initial training. This helps ease them into their new lives and learn about their role and work environment. Interac also provides a free online basic Japanese language course. 

The Interac website offers additional support in the form of educational resources and classroom tools. Ongoing training is available, and experienced trainers observe ALTs from time to time to offer feedback and advice. 

Discounted services 

Interac offers discounted Japanese lessons via a partnership with an e-learning provider. They also offer a discounted SIM card rental service if you have a SIM-free mobile phone.

If you’re thinking about teaching English in Japan with Interac, it’s good to know what you’re getting yourself into. 

Pros

• Training and support: Interac has a comprehensive training program that supports you from pre-departure through to arrival and beyond. 
• Free and discounted Japanese lessons
• Financial assistance: If you need help covering startup costs, Interac provides a loan of up to ¥250,000, which is deposited once your bank account is set up. The loan is repayable over 10 months.
• Accommodation assistance
• Visa support
• Mobile phone assistance
• Career progression through Interac’s Career Navigation Program.
• Interac covers initial and annual health checks

Cons

• Lower pay than direct-hire ALTs
• Pro-rated salary for less busy months
• Limited benefits 
• No paid sick leave
• Unpaid leave if it falls outside of Obon, national holidays or New Year’s
• Inconsistent working conditions 
• Random drug screening may seem invasive 
• Job instability: ALTs are temporary workers on fixed-term contracts and are limited to three years with the same company.
• Contract renewals are not guaranteed for those looking to stay longer than a year. 
• Business relationships, like maintaining school contracts, are prioritised over teaching quality. 

Interac is one of several ALT providers in Japan. Others include Altia Central, Borderlink, Heart Corporation and the famous JET Program. 

JET is not a dispatch company, but a government placement program. JET ALTs enjoy job security, generous vacation days, paid leave, housing assistance, a flight allowance, social insurance and extensive training and support. It offers among the highest-paying ALT jobs and is very competitive.

Read more: Pros and cons of the JET Program

Dispatch companies pay a lower salary compared to the JET Program. 

• • Heart Corporation:  ¥2,184,000 – ¥2,880,000 
  • Interac:  ¥2,400,000 – ¥2,700,000
  • Borderlink:  ¥2,640,000 – ¥2,760,000
  • Altia Central:  ¥2,880,000 – ¥3,000,000 

• JET Program:  ¥3,360,000 – ¥4,320,000

Disclaimer: These salary estimates are based on public data; actual earnings may vary. For the latest details, please check the dispatch company’s official website.

Interac is best suited for:

• Aspiring teachers – Those who want to develop classroom leadership skills, as Interac ALTs lead their own sections of the class rather than co-teaching.
• Job seekers in a hurry – The application process is much faster than JET, making it ideal for those who want to start teaching in Japan sooner.
• Those seeking career growth – Opportunities exist for promotion to trainer, head-teacher, or manager roles within Interac.
• Independent workers –  Interac ALTs receive less structured support but have more autonomy in managing their daily lives in Japan.
  
• People wanting to work on the side – ALTs can take on secondary jobs, such as private tutoring, within the limits of their visa.

Interac may not be the best fit for:

• Those prioritising salary and benefits – JET pays significantly more, offers better-paid leave, and covers flight costs.
  
• Cultural exchange enthusiasts – JET’s structured program fosters stronger connections with local communities and schools.
  
• People who want a strong support network – JET provides orientation, alumni groups, and ongoing training, whereas Interac has limited structured support.
  
• ALTs who want more stability – Interac ALTs face salary reductions during school holidays and have little control over placement.

Interac is best for those who want classroom leadership, a fast application, and flexibility, while JET offers better pay, structured support, and a richer cultural exchange.

If you’re looking for fast entry into Japan and more flexibility in your day-to-day, then Interac might be the right choice for you.  First things first, sign up for a TEFL course to get take the first step on your path to Japan!