FAQ

The JET Programme is an expansive exchange programme administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) in Japan. Through the JET Programme, people from participating countries are invited to Japan and appointed to work as ALTs, CIRs or SEAs by local governments or private schools in Japan for one year. The JET Programme aims to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by improving foreign language education and fostering international exchange at the community level.

Firstly, each participant in the JET Programme brings their culture to a local community in Japan, helping it gain personal contact with peoples of other countries. Secondly, each JET Programme participant will learn a great deal about Japan, its language, culture and people. It is expected that JET Programme participants will share what they learned with their family and friends upon returning home.

No. An appointment on the JET Programme is a professional commitment with specific terms and conditions set by the appointing local government or private school. Participants are expected to carry out their work duties during their appointment as a civil servant or educator.

The JET Programme is sponsored by three Japanese Ministries (MIC, MOFA, MEXT) and JET Programme participants are placed within local governments or private schools all throughout Japan. As a government-sponsored programme, the JET Programme is not a business or language school. The goal of the JET Programme is to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and fostering international exchange at the community level.

Upon arriving in Japan, JET Programme participants attend a two-day training conference in Tokyo. After departing for their placements, most participants receive a more specialised orientation at the prefectural level. Most participants also take part in annual skills development training conferences.
CLAIR provides participants with various forms of support, including: free online Japanese language courses, translation and interpretation skills acquisition training, grants for TEFL certification and the JLPT, numerous publications and a monthly newsletter with useful information, mental health counseling service, career fairs, and more.
Support

JET Programme participants are cultural ambassadors of their home countries, a role that extends beyond regular working hours. JET Programme participants must constantly be aware of their behaviour and should make efforts to adapt to Japan’s culture and their work environment. JET Programme participants are expected to take an active role in the workplace and community, which may include staying late at school to help with club or sports activities, volunteering with local groups, and participating in community events.

JET Programme participants arrive in spring and summer every year. In principle, participants from Brazil, China, Korea, and Peru come to Japan in spring (early April), while those from other countries come in summer (late July/early August). However, due to global events, the COVID-19 pandemic, and necessary preparations within Japan, arrival dates outside of the periods above may be set.

Appointments on the JET Programme are for a period of one year, and acceptance into the programme is not a guarantee of more than one year of participation. If both the contracting organisation and the JET Programme participant are in agreement, JET Programme participants may be reappointed up to two more times, allowing a total of three years of participation on the JET Programme. A JET Programme participant whose work performance is deemed to be of an exceptionally high standard may be reappointed an additional two more times, allowing for a maximum total of five years on the JET Programme.

Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology or CLAIR?
No. JET Programme participants are appointed (employed) by various individual institutions or local government organisations (also called contracting organisations) in Japan and the terms and conditions of the appointment are set by each local government.

Please refer to the eligibility criteria section.
Eligibility

Unfortunately, citizens of non-participating countries may only apply to participate in the JET Programme if there is a specific request from a local government in Japan for a JET Programme participant from that country. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan in your country of citizenship for further information.

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to participate as an ALT. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your country of citizenship for further information.

No, you must have a Bachelor’s Degree or three-year teacher training certification or have obtained one by the date designated by your Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan.

You can apply to participate in the JET Programme if, by the date designated by your Embassy or Consulate General of Japan, you have completed at least a three-year education/teacher training programme that qualifies you to teach at elementary, junior high, or senior high schools by the arrival date designed by your Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.

No, all applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, which include at least a Bachelor’s Degree or three-year teacher training certification by the time of departure for Japan.

A teaching certificate, diploma, or TESOL/TEFL certification is not a requirement for participation on the JET Programme, but such certifications will be an asset during the selection process.

No, a Bachelor’s Degree in any field is sufficient to meet the eligibility criteria.

No, teaching experience is not a requirement for participation on the JET Programme, but such experience will be an asset during the selection process.

Yes, you can apply for the JET Programme even if you do not speak any Japanese. However, if accepted, you are expected to make a continual effort to learn and improve your Japanese skills in order to better communicate with the people around you.

Applicants for the CIR position must demonstrate a grasp of Japanese equivalent to the JLPT N2 or N1 levels. CIR applicants have typically studied Japanese for a minimum of two years at the university level. Additionally, CIRs are tested in Japanese at the interview. While JLPT certification is not a requirement for applying to be a CIR, many CIRs possess a Japanese level equivalent to level N1 of the JLPT.

No, as long as applicants meet all other eligibility criteria, there is no age requirement limit. However, applicants will be judged on maturity, professionalism, and ability to adjust to other cultures.

SEAs (Sports Exchange Advisors) are JET Programme participants placed in local authorities engaged in sports-related activities, and are involved in international exchange activities through the instruction of specific sports.

In terms of numbers, just over 90% of all JET Programme participants are ALTs. Rather than basing your application on language ability, it is better to think about what you would like to do. In some cases, even those participants who speak very high levels of Japanese prefer to be ALTs and work in schools and boards of education as opposed to working in an office, like most CIRs do.

CIRs may also teach English (or another language). While the work duties of each CIR differ as the needs of each contracting organisation vary greatly, some will include teaching English (or another language) to some degree, such as infrequent seminars or regular school visits.

From the applicant’s point of view, according to the eligibility criteria CIRs must have a high level of Japanese language ability, while ALTs need no previous Japanese language experience. As for their general job descriptions, an ALT’s primary work duty is language education, while a CIR’s primary work duty is helping their office with international events and activities.

The work duties of a CIR will vary depending on the needs of the contracting organisation, where they generally assist in projects related to international activities carried out by the contracting organisation. Such activities may include:
・Editing, translating and compiling brochures into a foreign language
・Assisting in planning, designing and implementing international exchange programmes including international economic exchange programmes
・Assisting in hosting official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors or for local foreign residents in the community
・Assisting in language instruction of employees of the contracting organisation and local residents
・Assisting with and participating in the activities of local private groups or organisations engaged in international exchange
・Assisting in exchange activities (including school visits) related to local residents’ cross-cultural awareness and understanding as well as in supporting activities for foreign nationals residing in Japan
・Other duties as specified by the contracting organisation

The work duties of an ALT will vary depending on the needs of the contracting organisation. However, common ALT duties include the following:
・Assisting in foreign language classes taught in elementary, junior and senior high schools
・Assisting in foreign language training activities in elementary schools
・Assisting in the preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language
・Assisting in the language training of teachers of a foreign language, etc.
・Assisting in extracurricular activities and club activities
・Providing information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers’ consultants and foreign language teachers
・Assisting in foreign language speech contests
・Engaging in local international exchange activities
・Other duties as specified by the contracting organisation

A criminal record will not necessarily disqualify you. However, the seriousness of the crime will be taken into consideration and a final decision will be made whether or not you will be offered a position on the Programme.

The goal of the JET Programme is to enhance internationalisation in local communities in Japan and there is a relatively low demand for JET Programme participants from urban local authorities. For this reason, few JET Programme participants are placed in large cities. The majority of JET Programme participants are placed in small to medium sized cities or in small towns or villages.

If you and your spouse are selected as successful candidates for the JET Programme, efforts will be made to place you in the same or neighbouring contracting organisations. However, please be aware that this is not possible in every case.

Couples are treated the same as every other JET Programme applicant; each applicant is considered based on the strength of their application and their success at the interview.

For some participating countries, there will only be a recruiting process if there is a specific request from a local government in Japan to host a JET Programme participant from that country. To find out if a local government in Japan has made a request to host a citizen of your country, please consult with the Embassy of Japan in your home country (in some cases it may be helpful to consult with the nearest Japanese consulate).

It is possible, but highly unlikely that you will be placed in the same area or in a nearby location. New JET Programme participants are placed after careful consideration of both their requests and the needs of the contracting organisation (employer).

Yes, you can apply from Japan. However, you must apply through the Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan in the country in which you have citizenship, provided that country is one of the countries which participate in the JET Programme. Interviews are conducted by the Embassy of Japan in your country of citizenship. (Online interviews are possible.)

It is not possible to apply for the JET Programme with only permanent residency. Citizenship in a participating country is a requirement for application. If you do have citizenship in another participating country, you may apply through the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in that country. If this applies to you, please contact the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in your country of citizenship for more information.

No, JET Programme participants must agree to the terms and conditions of their contracting organisation, which stipulate a one-year period of appointment. If you cannot fulfil this requirement, you are not able to apply for the programme.

You must attend your interview in your home country. There is a limit to the number of JET Programme participants from each country, and each country has its own unique method for selecting successful candidates. If you do not attend the interview, you will be disqualified.

Yes, you can apply from the country in which you currently reside. However, you must send your application documents to the Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan in the country in which you have citizenship, provided that country is one of the countries which participate in the JET Programme. Interviews are conducted by the Embassy of Japan in your country of citizenship. (Online interviews are possible.)

No, it is not possible to apply for both positions at the same time; you will have to evaluate yourself based on the eligibility criteria for each position and apply for the position that best suits you.

Specific deadlines for applications vary by country. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your country of citizenship to find out the application deadline.

Contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your country of citizenship.
Participating Countries

The application and selection process for the JET Programme is handled by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) through its embassies and consulates in participating countries. For country-specific information, please contact or visit the homepage of the Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan in your country of citizenship.
Participating Countries

No, you may not. Successful candidates must begin their term on the programme on the designated date.

Late applications are not accepted. Furthermore, the applicant will be disqualified should he/she fail to meet any subsequent deadline at any stage in the application process.

Yes, but if you are accepted to the Programme you must renounce your Japanese citizenship before submitting your Reply Form. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your country of citizenship for further information.

No, you can only apply through one participating country. Please choose the country through which you would prefer to apply, keeping in mind that your interview and point of departure will be in that country.

Please contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan through which you applied. However, as a rule, interviews will only be held during the scheduled interview period. Due to the large number of interviews conducted, individual schedules cannot be accommodated.

No, it is not possible for an applicant or accepted participant to change the date and/or location of their interview and/or departure. All new participants will arrive in Japan on a designated arrival date.

Former JET Programme participants can re-apply but only under the following conditions:
1. You have not participated in the JET Programme in the last three years and;
2. You were not a JET Programme participant for more than six years in total.

Yes, you can re-apply the following year, but you will have to complete and submit the entire application packet again with new copies of all necessary supporting documents.

Once you have received your placement, your contracting organisation will send you information about your new job and living area. After receiving contact, you should direct any specific questions regarding your new placement to your contracting organisation as soon as possible. Also, you can try to find the AJET (Association of JETs) community in your soon-to-be new home.
Click here for the AJET page.

A decision whether to participate in the JET Programme or withdraw must be made with the submission of the Reply Form. Please carefully consider both your capability and intent to participate before submitting the form. If you find you are not able to go to Japan, you should immediately notify the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan that you applied through (Interview Office). If you withdraw from the JET Programme before you receive your placement, you will still be eligible to apply again the following year. However, if you wait until after you receive your placement to withdraw, you will be unable to re-apply to the JET Programme the following year.

If accepted, you will be asked to indicate your preferred point of departure on the Reply Form. It is not possible to change the point of departure after submitting the Reply Form.

All new JET Programme participants depart for Japan on the day designated by their Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan. Participants are not able to change their date of departure.

Yes, you may be disqualified without warning if:
・You commit an inappropriate act, or there is substantial reason to believe you are likely to commit an inappropriate act
・Your application documents contain false statements
・After submitting your application materials, there is a change in the contents of your application materials, but you fail to report the change promptly to the Embassy or Consulate (General) of Japan
・It is determined that your criminal history　(such as drunk driving, narcotic use, sex-related crimes and crimes against a minor) renders you unsuitable for the JET Programme
・You do not submit the Reply Form, Certificate of Health, or other required forms by the set deadlines
・You do not renounce your Japanese citizenship before the Reply Form submission deadline
・It becomes clear at a later date that you do not meet the eligibility criteria for some reason attributable to you or your actions.

No, JET participants cannot change their placements before departing for Japan under any circumstances.

Placements are not decided until after successful candidates have been chosen and agree to accept a position with the JET Programme.

If you are a JET Programme participant, the JET Office or JET Coordinator at the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan where you were interviewed will provide you with the necessary information to apply for a visa. All participants will have to provide the JET Programme Office with a signed and completed visa application form, passport (with at least one blank page for the visa sticker), and one 3cm x 4cm (passport-sized) photo. Please note that some embassies may require 2–3 weeks or more to complete this process, during which time the applicant will be without a passport. Passports with the visa are generally returned to participants in the month before departure.

Participants are issued a three-year working visa with a Status of Residence as an ‘Instructor’ (ALT), an ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ (CIR), or ‘Skilled Labor’ (SEA). Please note that participants who are married to or are children of a Japanese national may participate in the Programme through a ‘Spouse or Child of Japanese National’ visa.

In principle, you must obtain your visa for the JET Programme from the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan where you were interviewed or from which you will depart.

The visa is usually issued in the month before departure by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan where a participant had their interview.

Under Japanese law, a fiancé(e), girlfriend/boyfriend, or common-law wife/husband is not considered the same as a spouse and cannot obtain a Dependent visa. For more information regarding possible visas for entry into Japan, please contact your local Japanese Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.

In general, the spouses, children, and other family members with a legal relationship to the JET Programme participant can apply for a Dependent visa.

As Japanese law does not currently recognise same-sex partnerships or marriages, same-sex partners and spouses are not able to obtain a Dependent visa. For more information regarding possible visas for entry into Japan, please contact your local Japanese Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.

Please check your Status of Residence and be sure not to engage in any illegal employment. You may not stay in Japan even one day past the expiration of your Period of Stay. Should you plan to stay in Japan past your Period of Stay, you must apply to change your Status of Residence to ‘Temporary Visitor’ or another appropriate Status of Residence before it expires. Please consult with your Regional Immigration Bureau of Japan at least one month before the expiration date.

With advance notice, accommodation can be arranged for accompanying family members through designated travel agents. However, please be aware that the hotels used for the Post-Arrival Orientation in Tokyo are expensive, starting from 13,000 yen per person per night. If no advance notice is given, new participants will be assigned a roommate(s) for the duration of the Post-Arrival Orientation.

Family members will be responsible for their own airfare to and from Japan.

If a spouse of a JET Programme participant wishes to find work prior to arriving in Japan, they are required to obtain a work visa ahead of time. In this case, their prospective employer must first issue a ‘Certificate of Eligibility’. If a spouse of a JET Programme participant wishes to find work after arriving in Japan, they are able to apply at their local immigration office for permission to work up to a limit of 28 hours per week. The responsibility for acquiring a work visa for spouses falls entirely on the participant and their spouse, and there is no support offered by the JET Programme.

Application procedures are handled at Regional Immigration Bureau of Japan offices and may have separate limitations, so please enquire at your closest Regional Immigration Bureau of Japan.

In some areas, it may be difficult for spouses to find work. In order to work full time, a spouse must have a valid working visa. Spouses coming to Japan on a Dependent visa cannot work without prior permission from the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. If permission is granted, spouses may work up to 28 hours per week (categorised as ‘part-time’ work). However, as this permission is not guaranteed, applicants should not count on their spouses being able to work.

No, there are no special allowances for JET Programme participants with family members. Note that residents of Japan may be able to apply for monthly child welfare payments. For details, please consult your local government office.

Dependents can be enroled under the JET participant’s Japan Health Insurance Association-administered Social (Health) Insurance (costs to be borne by the JET participant), but they cannot enrol in the JET Accident Insurance. You can read more about insurance here.
Insurance

The needs and considerations of each family differ, and the cost of living varies across Japan. Some JET Programme participants are able to support their families with this remuneration.
Please carefully consider your circumstances before applying to the Programme.

Yes, but it is strongly recommended that participants do their own research into education opportunities in the region where their contracting organisation is located before coming to Japan.

Couples are treated the same as every other JET Programme applicant: that is, each applicant is considered based on the strength of their individual application and performance at the interview process.

If both you and your spouse apply and are selected, efforts will be made to place both of you in the same or nearby contracting organisations. However, such placement cannot be guaranteed, so please be aware that you may possibly not be placed near each other.

It is possible for JET Programme participants who inform their Embassy or Consulate General of Japan well in advance to have family members travel with them. However, because all JET Programme participants must attend an orientation in Tokyo soon after arrival, as well as an orientation at the prefectural level, it is recommended that family members depart for Japan only after you have arrived at your placement and housing arrangements have been settled.

Your contracting organisation, which will be your direct employer, will provide travel expenses (airfare) to Japan.

If you complete your appointment, your contracting organisation will provide airfare back to your home country, provided that you depart Japan within one month of completing the term of appointment and are not entering into a new contract in Japan.

No, it will not be possible to change your placement after coming to Japan. There are only a few exceptions made to this rule, such as when it is deemed necessary for a participant to relocate due to marriage, to provide care for a family member, or to receive treatment for an illness. However, even in these rare situations, a transfer is not guaranteed.

You cannot bring pets with you to Japan when coming as a New JET Programme participant. Many apartment buildings in Japan prohibit keeping animals. In addition, Japanese quarantine procedures at airports and ports are very strict. Quarantine may be extremely long, during which time the burden and cost of looking after the animal can be very high.

JET Programme participants are asked to designate a point of departure on the Reply Form. Except in unavoidable cases, changes cannot be made after the submission of this form.

No, it is not permitted to come to Japan on any flight other than the one arranged for you. In exceptional, unavoidable cases, it may be permitted under the condition that all relevant expenses are paid for by the JET Programme participant.

All new JET Programme participants depart for Japan on the date designated by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan from which they depart. You are not able to change your date of departure.

The fee varies by hospital, ranging from approximately ￥3,000-￥5,000. The cost of the physician's statement is covered by this policy. Refer to the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide for further information. When the amount claimed is not more than ￥100,000, a physician's statement is not required.

No. This policy is designed to cover the expenses actually paid by the JET participant. In this case the JET participant has incurred no expenses, therefore claims cannot be made. Any expenses that the JET participant has incurred through injuries or sickness sustained in the course of his/her official duties should be covered by the contracting organisation. Therefore, claims may not be made on this policy.

Information on how to make a claim can be found here, as well as in the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide.

After receiving medical attention through Social (Health) Insurance, the amount paid by the JET participant minus the ￥5,000 deductible will be paid by the insurance policy. Therefore, claims cannot be made if the amount paid by the JET is less than ￥5,000.

Yes. However insurance payments will be reduced for some dangerous sports. The dangerous sports are the following: Mountain climbing (using climbing tools such as a pickle, climbing irons, rope, hammer, etc.), luge, bobsleigh, skydiving, hang-gliding, ultra light power aircraft flying (motorised hang-glider, micro-light aircraft, ultra-light aircraft, etc.), gyroplane flying, other dangerous sports similar to the above. Coverage for sports such as skiing, rugby, scuba diving, hiking (not using climbing equipment) will not be reduced.

(a) This policy covers treatment received within 30 days of the day after entering your home country, for sickness that began or injuries that were sustained in an accident that occurred within that 30-day period. It does not cover the period from the 31st day until the time when procedures for exiting from your home country are completed.

(b) When traveling to a third country, coverage is provided regardless of the destination or length of stay, as long as it is within the period of coverage.

To receive medical attention it is necessary to present your Social (Health) Insurance card at the hospital or clinic before receiving medical attention. After receiving attention you pay in cash the amount not covered by the Social (Health) Insurance. Afterwards, you can make a claim to cover the expenses not covered by Social (Health) Insurance through JET Accident Insurance. When paying expenses at the hospital or clinic, be sure to keep all receipts.

No. This policy only covers medical treatment prescribed by a physician.

If you have problems informing the insurance company of the accident or injury, please have your contracting organisation supervisor contact the insurance company on your behalf.

No. This policy does not cover dental treatment for ailments such as tooth decay and gingivitis. Dental treatment for injuries sustained in an accident is covered.

Information on how to make claim while overseas can be found here and in the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide.

The Insured's Confirmation of Agreement Form confirms the beneficiary and helps to facilitate the payment process. If a completed form declaring a beneficiary is not submitted, statutory heirs will be required to provide proof that they are the statutory heir in order to receive insurance payments. The cost and time involved in this process will vary from country to country, but will always be the responsibility of the heir. We request that all newly arriving JET participants complete the form and submit it during Tokyo Orientation.

Only a parent, spouse, child, grandparent, or sibling of the participant may be designated as a beneficiary. If none of these family members are alive, please contact CLAIR. You will be required to designate another family member.

Please complete the form and submit it to CLAIR at Tokyo Orientation.

Please refer to coverage details on the following page.
JET Programme Accident Insurance – Details

Either the JET participant or a representative from the contracting organisation. If the JET participant does not speak sufficient Japanese, a representative from the contracting organisation should make the call.

No. This insurance policy covers injuries sustained or sicknesses which began after leaving for Japan and does not cover pre-existing conditions or injuries. Therefore treatment for this injury (or sickness) is not covered. However, hospital expenses are covered by the Social (Health) Insurance up to 70%.

No. JET Programme participants are employed by various individual institutions, such as local government organisations or private schools in Japan. The JET Programme refers to these entities as contracting organisations.

Please see the JET Accident Insurance section on this website.
JET Programme Accident Insurance

Yes, all JET Programme participants are covered under four types of insurance: Health Insurance, Employee’s Pension Insurance, Employment Insurance and JET Accident Insurance. For more information on these forms of insurance, please see the explanation of insurances here.
Insurance

Yes, there may be slight differences. The terms and conditions that a JET Programme participant receives will be based on model terms and conditions provided by CLAIR. Within the model terms and conditions, CLAIR sets certain standards that cannot be changed. These include such items as term of appointment (one year), number of hours worked (35 per week) and remuneration. Contracting organisations create their own terms and conditions based on the model terms and conditions but may make amendments to incorporate specific local employment requirements and regulations. Please be sure to read your terms and conditions carefully. If you are uncertain about specific areas within it, please consult with your contracting organisation.

Tax requirements for your Japanese income are largely determined by whether or not a tax treaty exists between Japan and your home country and the contents of said treaty. For more information, refer to the General Information Handbook.
However, please note that CLAIR cannot take responsibility for information on home country tax obligations, so participants are strongly encouraged to contact the tax authorities in their home country for the most accurate information.
Click here for the GIH page.

JET Programme participants are guaranteed a pre-tax remuneration of approximately the following:

First Appointment:4.02 million yen
Second Appointment:4.14 million yen
Third Appointment:4.26 million yen
And for those regarded as exceptional JET Programme participants and appointed for a fourth and fifth year:

Fourth & Fifth Appointment:4.32 million yen
Participants will pay for Japanese income and resident taxes from this remuneration.

Yes. The remuneration is considered enough to live comfortably in Japan, but please bear in mind that, as in many other countries, the cost of living is generally higher in highly populated urban areas. Many JET participants are able to accumulate some savings and travel within and around Japan while on the JET Programme.

Although the remuneration is sufficient to live in Japan, it is not recommended to participate in the JET Programme for the purpose of paying off loans. Money transfer fees, fluctuating exchange rates, and financial commitments in Japan (such as rent) will affect how much money you are able to send overseas to pay off loans, and you must first give priority to any expenses you may accrue in Japan (housing fees, automobile fees, etc.).

No. The amount of remuneration before taxes is not based on job-type, so it is the same for ALTs, CIRs, and SEAs.

Tax requirements in Japan are determined by a number of factors, including your nationality, status of residence (the type of work you are permitted to do in Japan), length of period of stay, your previous year’s income in Japan (if any) and whether a tax treaty exists between Japan and your home country or not. For more information on tax requirements in Japan for JET Programme participants, please speak with your contracting organisation and/or refer to the General Information Handbook.
Click here for the GIH page.

If you are required to pay for the initial startup costs in your place of residence, these costs can amount to 4-7 months’ worth of rent. While the amount may depend on the region of Japan, deposits (shikikin), usually anywhere from 1-3 month’s rent, are generally refunded upon leaving, minus deductions for any unpaid rent and/or expenses for cleaning or repairs. If the deposit is one month’s rent, it is usually used for cleaning or repairs. Key money (reikin), usually 1-2 month’s rent, is a non-refundable gift given to the landlord to express one’s appreciation. There may be cases where the real estate agent requires the equivalent of an additional one month’s rent as their commission. Furthermore, one month’s rent may need to be paid in advance. Please note that new JET Programme participants should be prepared to cover all initial costs by themselves before receiving their first paycheck and plan accordingly. Please contact your contracting organisation for more information before coming to Japan.

In principle, JET Programme participants will be responsible for their own accommodation arrangements. All JET Programme participants should expect to pay rent while in Japan (see “Housing” section of the General Information Handbook).
Click here for the GIH page.

In principle, the participant is responsible for all accommodation arrangements. In some cases, the contracting organisation may have suggested housing arrangements or offer different choices, so it is essential to consult with your contracting organisation well in advance of arriving in Japan.

Yes, in general, it will be possible. However, please understand that many Japanese have a lack of awareness about what dietary restrictions are, and that if you do not speak Japanese it may sometimes be difficult to explain your restrictions.

No, it will not be possible to move to a different location in subsequent years during your time on the JET Programme. You will be expected to stay with the same contracting organisation in the same city/town/village during your entire period of appointment on the programme. Transfers between contracting organisations, while extremely rare, may be considered for JET Programme participants with very special circumstances, such as marriage, medical treatment or nursing care.

Although it may be possible to arrange to take off your personal religious holidays, JET Programme participants will normally be expected to use yearly paid leave (nenkyu) to observe these holidays.

Getting a mobile phone may take up to a few weeks. It often takes around a month to set up internet at home, so please plan accordingly. Additionally, many convenience stores, shops, and restaurants in Japan offer free wi-fi.

As one of the aims of the JET Programme is internationalisation through cultural exchange at the grassroots level, participants are strongly encouraged to actively interact with members of the local community. Attending school or workplace events, taking part in local festivals, joining a local club, and volunteering are just a few of the ways in which JET participants make friends and form strong bonds with their host communities.

Of course many JET Programme participants also form communities, physically and on social media platforms, with other participants on the programme and/or foreign nationals, even in isolated areas. National AJET (Association of Japan Exchange and Teaching – a volunteer organisaton run by current participants) and local AJET chapters also plan events for participants to come together and get involved in the local community.

If you have a licence in your home country and your country is part of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, then you can drive in Japan for one year on an International Driving Permit, which should be obtained from the national automobile association in your home country prior to departure. You can only use an International Driving Permit in Japan for a maximum period of one year from the initial date of entry (arrival in Japan), or until the expiration date on the permit, whichever comes first (see General Information Handbook).
Click here for the GIH page.

In some situations, JET Programme participants are asked to drive to and from their place(s) of work. Some JET Programme participants may have to purchase or lease an automobile, while some may be granted limited use of one provided by the contracting organisation.

Medical care in Japan is thorough, but please be aware that medical care providers in many locations in Japan do not offer English language assistance.

There are many medications that can be purchased without a prescription in Japan; however, medication readily available over the counter in your home country may be illegal in Japan. You will not be able to bring such medications with you or purchase them while you are here (see ‘Medication, Medical Products, Cosmetics and Medical Equipment’ section of the General Information Handbook).
Click here for the GIH page.

Bringing prescription medications into Japan can be a difficult process. Generally speaking, you will be allowed to carry a one-month prescription with you. Bring more than a one month supply requires a certificate called a ‘Yakkan Shoumei’. For participants who require medicine during their participation on the JET Programme, please make sure to bring a Yakkan Shoumei Certificate with you on your arrival and submit it to customs. Please refer to the ‘General Information Handbook’ about how to apply for a Yakkan Shoumei Certificate. In case you forget to bring a Yakkan Shoumei Certificate, you may not able to bring your medication into Japan.
Click here for the GIH page.

The day after arriving in Japan, JET Programme participants attend a two-day training conference in Tokyo. At this conference, participants learn about the kind of manners and mindset expected of them as they live and work in Japan from the three government ministries, former Programme participants, and professionals, as well as acquire knowledge and skills which can be used in their work duties. After arriving at their placements, participants receive a more specialised orientation at the prefectural level. Most participants also take part in periodic skills development training conferences.

CLAIR provides participants with various forms of support, including: free online Japanese language learning courses, translation and interpretation skills acquisition training, grants for TEFL certification and the JLPT, numerous publications and a monthly online newsletter with useful information, a mental health counseling service, career fairs, and more.

If you wish to continue to be involved in the JET Programme, contact your closest JETAA chapter and Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.

In order to receive news from CLAIR about future events of interest to former JET participants, please inform CLAIR of any changes to your contact information. Please refer to this page for more information. Current JET participants should notify CLAIR via the contracting organisation.

While your contracting organisation will be able to provide documentation that outlines the number of classroom hours and duties performed, etc., whether or not this experience will transfer to institutions in your home country is entirely up to the discretion of each individual institution.

JETAA aims to promote a broader and deeper understanding of Japan and the countries participating on the JET Programme. Chapter activities include assisting local Embassy or Consulate General of Japan staff with JET Programme application interviews and pre-departure orientations, offering support and providing information to those returning home, organising Japan-related events, etc. Each JETAA chapter maintains its own website and holds annual meetings. Please contact the JETAA chapter you would like to join directly, through their website or social media.

Proof of employment should be obtained from your former contracting organisation. Please understand that proof of employment including letters of reference can only be provided by your employer, and therefore cannot be provided by CLAIR, or an Embassy or Consulate General of Japan. It is recommended that you contact your former contracting organisation if you require proof of employment.

Letters of reference should be obtained directly from your former contracting organisation. Keep in mind that writing a letter of reference is not a common occurrence in Japan and that your former contracting organisation might need some guidance as to what type of letter is appropriate (perhaps providing some samples would be best). Please understand that letters of reference can only be provided by your employer, and therefore cannot be provided by CLAIR or by the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in your home country.

Filing for the pension refund (lump-sum withdrawal payment) is a long process that begins before you leave Japan. For an in-depth explanation, please refer to the General Information Handbook.

SEAs (Sports Exchange Advisors) are JET Programme participants placed in local authorities engaged in sports-related activities, and are involved in international exchange activities through the instruction of specific sports.

In terms of numbers, just over 90% of all JET Programme participants are ALTs. Rather than basing your application on language ability, it is better to think about what you would like to do. In some cases, even those participants who speak very high levels of Japanese prefer to be ALTs and work in schools and boards of education as opposed to working in an office, like most CIRs do.

CIRs may also teach English (or another language). While the work duties of each CIR differ as the needs of each contracting organisation vary greatly, some will include teaching English (or another language) to some degree, such as infrequent seminars or regular school visits.

From the applicant’s point of view, according to the eligibility criteria CIRs must have a high level of Japanese language ability, while ALTs need no previous Japanese language experience. As for their general job descriptions, an ALT’s primary work duty is language education, while a CIR’s primary work duty is helping their office with international events and activities.

The work duties of a CIR will vary depending on the needs of the contracting organisation, where they generally assist in projects related to international activities carried out by the contracting organisation. Such activities may include:
・Editing, translating and compiling brochures into a foreign language
・Assisting in planning, designing and implementing international exchange programmes including international economic exchange programmes
・Assisting in hosting official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors or for local foreign residents in the community
・Assisting in language instruction of employees of the contracting organisation and local residents
・Assisting with and participating in the activities of local private groups or organisations engaged in international exchange
・Assisting in exchange activities (including school visits) related to local residents’ cross-cultural awareness and understanding as well as in supporting activities for foreign nationals residing in Japan
・Other duties as specified by the contracting organisation

The work duties of an ALT will vary depending on the needs of the contracting organisation. However, common ALT duties include the following:
・Assisting in foreign language classes taught in elementary, junior and senior high schools
・Assisting in foreign language training activities in elementary schools
・Assisting in the preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language
・Assisting in the language training of teachers of a foreign language, etc.
・Assisting in extracurricular activities and club activities
・Providing information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers’ consultants and foreign language teachers
・Assisting in foreign language speech contests
・Engaging in local international exchange activities
・Other duties as specified by the contracting organisation

A JET participant can receive assistance from their contracting organisation regarding claim procedures or in making telephone calls to the branch office, but other steps such as completing documents, must primarily be taken by the JET participant.

Yes. However insurance payments will be reduced for some dangerous sports. The dangerous sports are the following: Mountain climbing (using climbing tools such as a pickle, climbing irons, rope, hammer, etc.), luge, bobsleigh, skydiving, hang-gliding, ultra light power aircraft flying (motorised hang-glider, micro-light aircraft, ultra-light aircraft, etc.), gyroplane flying, other dangerous sports similar to the above. Coverage for sports such as skiing, rugby, scuba diving, hiking (not using climbing equipment) will not be reduced.

To receive medical attention it is necessary to present your Social (Health) Insurance card at the hospital or clinic before receiving medical attention. After receiving attention you pay in cash the amount not covered by the Social (Health) Insurance. Afterwards, you can make a claim to cover the expenses not covered by Social (Health) Insurance through JET Accident Insurance. When paying expenses at the hospital or clinic, be sure to keep all receipts.

If you have problems informing the insurance company of the accident or injury, please have your contracting organisation supervisor contact the insurance company on your behalf.

Either the JET participant or a representative from the contracting organisation. If the JET participant does not speak sufficient Japanese, a representative from the contracting organisation should make the call.

The fee varies by hospital, ranging from approximately ￥3,000-￥5,000. The cost of the physician's statement is covered by this policy. Refer to the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide for further information. When the amount claimed is not more than ￥100,000, a physician's statement is not required.

No. This policy is designed to cover the expenses actually paid by the JET participant. In this case the JET participant has incurred no expenses, therefore claims cannot be made. Any expenses that the JET participant has incurred through injuries or sickness sustained in the course of his/her official duties should be covered by the contracting organisation. Therefore, claims may not be made on this policy.

Information on how to make a claim can be found here, as well as in the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide.

After receiving medical attention through Social (Health) Insurance, the amount paid by the JET participant minus the ￥5,000 deductible will be paid by the insurance policy. Therefore, claims cannot be made if the amount paid by the JET is less than ￥5,000.

Yes. However insurance payments will be reduced for some dangerous sports. The dangerous sports are the following: Mountain climbing (using climbing tools such as a pickle, climbing irons, rope, hammer, etc.), luge, bobsleigh, skydiving, hang-gliding, ultra light power aircraft flying (motorised hang-glider, micro-light aircraft, ultra-light aircraft, etc.), gyroplane flying, other dangerous sports similar to the above. Coverage for sports such as skiing, rugby, scuba diving, hiking (not using climbing equipment) will not be reduced.

To receive medical attention it is necessary to present your Social (Health) Insurance card at the hospital or clinic before receiving medical attention. After receiving attention you pay in cash the amount not covered by the Social (Health) Insurance. Afterwards, you can make a claim to cover the expenses not covered by Social (Health) Insurance through JET Accident Insurance. When paying expenses at the hospital or clinic, be sure to keep all receipts.

No. This policy only covers medical treatment prescribed by a physician.

If you have problems informing the insurance company of the accident or injury, please have your contracting organisation supervisor contact the insurance company on your behalf.

No. This policy does not cover dental treatment for ailments such as tooth decay and gingivitis. Dental treatment for injuries sustained in an accident is covered.

No. As explained in I. 11 above, this policy covers expenses that the JET participant has incurred for injuries or sickness. This question concerns expenses borne by the contracting organisation. Therefore, this policy does not apply.

Either the JET participant or a representative from the contracting organisation. If the JET participant does not speak sufficient Japanese, a representative from the contracting organisation should make the call.

No. This insurance policy covers injuries sustained or sicknesses which began after leaving for Japan and does not cover pre-existing conditions or injuries. Therefore treatment for this injury (or sickness) is not covered. However, hospital expenses are covered by the Social (Health) Insurance up to 70%.

(a) This policy covers treatment received within 30 days of the day after entering your home country, for sickness that began or injuries that were sustained in an accident that occurred within that 30-day period. It does not cover the period from the 31st day until the time when procedures for exiting from your home country are completed.

(b) When traveling to a third country, coverage is provided regardless of the destination or length of stay, as long as it is within the period of coverage.

Information on how to make claim while overseas can be found here and in the JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide.

The Insured's Confirmation of Agreement Form confirms the beneficiary and helps to facilitate the payment process. If a completed form declaring a beneficiary is not submitted, statutory heirs will be required to provide proof that they are the statutory heir in order to receive insurance payments. The cost and time involved in this process will vary from country to country, but will always be the responsibility of the heir. We request that all newly arriving JET participants complete the form and submit it during Tokyo Orientation.

Only a parent, spouse, child, grandparent, or sibling of the participant may be designated as a beneficiary. If none of these family members are alive, please contact CLAIR. You will be required to designate another family member.

Please complete the form and submit it to CLAIR at Tokyo Orientation.

Please refer to coverage details on the following page.
JET Programme Accident Insurance – Details

There is no limit on the amount of companies you can speak to at the Career Fair. However, the Career Fair can be busy, so we recommend prioritizing the companies you would like to speak to. We often hear JETs say they weren't able to visit as many companies as they initially intended.

Even if none of the companies interest you at first, we still highly recommend attending the Career Fairs and talking to various types of companies. Many companies that you may not have had an interest in at first can turn out to be wonderful opportunities and be completely different from what you first expected.

While it is possible to attend both locations of the Career Fair, this may not be necessary. We recommend attending the Career Fair that has the most companies that you are interested in. The Osaka Career Fair tends to focus more on companies which are based in the Kansai region, so please check the company list when it is released. However, attending both career fairs offers the advantage of speaking directly with more companies, as time at the Career Fair is limited.

No, participation is only available in person.

No. The sole purpose of the Career Fair is to connect current and former JETs with companies looking to hire global talent.

The majority of companies will only be hiring for positions within Japan.

Yes. Even if your Japanese is not perfect, making your best effort to speak in Japanese will go a long way. Also, some companies will have representatives at the fair who are able to speak English. However, please be aware that most participating companies do have Japanese language level requirements for their staff. A month before the Career Fair a list of all participating companies as well as information such as the desired Japanese ability will be released online, so please check the details of the companies you are interested in at that time.

It is free to attend, however all costs of accommodation and travel fees must be paid for by the JET Participant.

Current JET Progamme Participants in their final year of appointment, as well as former JETs.

No. You must be in your final year of appointment on the JET Programme to attend. However, there are other career support provisions which are accessible to current JETs who are not in their final year of appointment.
Please see here for more information.

The list of companies will be published about a month before the Career Fairs. However,　a list of companies which participated in previous years can be viewed on the Career Fair homepage.

Research the industries and companies you are interested in, write your CV in English and Japanese and practice your self-introduction and interview manners. CLAIR also offers a variety of support, including lectures and career counselling, to help you prepare for the Career Fairs and job hunting after JET. Please see here for more information.

Yes, applications to participate will open approx. 3 months in advance.

We recommend wearing a suit that is acceptable for job-hunting in Japan.

Companies participating in the JET Programme Career Fair participate under the condition that JET Programme participants must begin their new duties after their term on the JET Programme has finished. Therefore, we ask that you focus on your duties as a JET Programme participant until your term of appointment ends.

We advise bringing CVs on the day to hand to companies, as well as bringing your business cards if you have them. Any additional information will be given out upon registration for the Career Fair.

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation and accommodations.

The JET Internship Programme was conceived as a work-experience for JET participants to attain a better understanding of the kinds of global personnel Japanese companies and organisations are seeking and reexamine their professional aspirations for the benefit of their own job-searching activities after finishing the JET Programme. In general, the internship programme does not have the objective of introducing participants to potential employers.

Unfortunately this is not possible. Only JET participants who can participate for the entirety of the internship period can apply.

Unfortunately, only current JET participants who have re-contracted for the year following their participation in the internships are eligible. (ie: Those eligible for the 2025 Internship Programme have been re-contracted as a JET participant through the spring/summer of 2026.)

Yes. Although certification of your Japanese ability is not mandatory, participants must have at least the JLPT level N2 or equivalent Japanese proficiency and be able to perform duties in Japanese.

This depends on both the number of participating companies and the number of interns they each request, both of which vary year to year.
For the 2025 internship, the number of interns requested will be finalized by June 11.
For reference, in the 2024 internship, there were 23 participating companies and a total of 41 interns requested.

The interview will primarily be in Japanese. Details regarding the interview will be sent to participants who pass the first round of screening.

The companies participating in the 2025 internship will be finalized by June 11th, 2025, at which time theirinformation will be sent to the applicants who pass the first round of screening.
In past years, companies from a wide variety of industries have participated, including information and communication, wholesale and retail, education, and manufacturing.
To see the companies which participated in 2024, please refer to “Participating Companies” here:
https://jetprogramme.org/jetinternship/

Once the participants have been finalized, they will be able to submit their preferences. However, while these preferences will be taken into consideration as much as possible, it is not guaranteed that participants will be placed at a company which they requested.

Yes. Applicants who pass the first round of screening will be consulted regarding their preference for interview times. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet everyone’s requests, so we ask for your cooperation and understanding.

In principle, participation in the internship is not considered part of a JET participant's regular work duties, so participants must use paid leave. Please consult with your contracting organisation regarding this matter.

Positive points
・“The level of Japanese language skill was extremely high, and we could envision employing almost everyone we met.”
・“Participants excelled at self expression and demonstrated a strong sense of professionalism.”
・“Many participants had experience in education, with many wanting to work in regional areas.”
・“Many participants had a strong understanding of Japanese culture and if employed could be expected to fit in and work well in our organisation.”
・“Participants seemed to have done research in advance and were very well prepared. They were highly skilled and very talented.”
・“Everyone seemed to have a strong desire to gain employment with Japanese companies.”
・“Participants were very energetic and showed qualities not always present in Japanese people (e.g. positivity).”
・“The Japanese language skill level was high.”

Negative points
・“There were some people who did not have clear employment objectives.”
・“Interviews and relationship building with people who had travelled long distances”

Most JET participants can speak English, even if they are not from English speaking countries, but there are some participants who are not comfortable working in English.

JET Programme Career Fairs are intended as a platform for companies to meet with JET participants and to make selections, but it is not possible for CLAIR to mediate in recruitment or to introduce participants directly.

Yes, as long as such information is used only for recruitment and screening.

Almost all JET participants complete their term of employment in late July/ early August, making them available for subsequent employment from August onwards. The dates when a JET participant can join a company and start working will vary by individual, but must be after that same individual has completed his or her appointment as a JET Programme participant.

JETs come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with many JETs studying various topics before coming to Japan. However, social sciences, humanities, languages, science, and business are popular among JETs.

A survey of JET participants who took part in JET Programme Career Fairs indicated that around 50% of participants held level N2 or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), while around 20% either held JLPT level N1 or a had a higher equivalent skill level.