About the JET Program

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program aims to help enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The program also seeks to improve foreign language education in Japan and to encourage international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth.

The objectives of the program are being achieved by offering JET Program participants, (hereinafter, participants) the opportunity to serve in local government offices as well as public and private elementary schools, junior high and senior high schools.

The program is conducted by local authorities and other organizations (hereinafter, contracting organizations) of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (hereinafter, CLAIR).

The program started in 1987 with the cooperation of the governments of the participating countries. As of July 2012, there were 4360 participants in the program from 40 countries.

As the JET Program has achieved an excellent reputation over the last 25 years, it is of great importance that this high level of respectability be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as representatives of their countries. Therefore, they are expected to be responsible in all of their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations. It is desirable that participants be adaptable and have a positive interest in Japan.

Participants are appointed by a contracting organization for a one-year period. The cost of transportation from the participants' country of origin to Japan, as well as remuneration, is funded by taxpayers of the contracting organization where the participant is employed. Because participants serve as civil servants of their contracting organizations they are required to uphold appropriate behavior. Withdrawal from the program after placement assignment or early termination of appointment should be avoided as it greatly inconveniences contracting organizations.

TIMELINE

The timeline below applies to all countries except China, South Korea, Brazil and Peru.

Late September to Early October	Application process begins
Late November	Application deadline (varies by country)
January	First notice sent to applicants
February	Interviews held at Japanese embassies and consulates
Late March to April	Interview results sent to Tokyo
Late March to April	Applicants selected for April departure notified
April	Second notice sent to applicants
April	Applicants selected for April departure depart for Japan and participate in Post-Arrival Orientation in Tokyo
May	Submit health check and reply Forms
May-July	Sucessful Applicants Receive Placement Information
July	Pre-Departure Orientation in home country
July/August	Departure on Designated Day
July/August	Post-Arrival Orientation in Tokyo

LINKS and CONTACT

Applications and additional information can be found on the homepage for the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C.

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/

For specific questions about the JET program or on the applications, please contact the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage.

Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage
3601 C Street, Suite 1300
Anchorage, AK 99503
Tel: (907) 562-8424 ext. 116
E-mail: pubcul-ak@se.mofa.go.jp
http://www.anchorage.us.emb-japan.go.jp/