CLAIR hosts career fairs for JET participants in major cities in Japan to respond to both the interests of JET Programme participants seeking employment in Japan and Japanese companies/organisations seeking multilingual, global personnel.
JET Programme Career Fairs are held by CLAIR annually between February and March. In addition, CLAIR supports other local governments in hosting career fairs for local companies, JET participants, and study abroad students.
Common Qualities among JET Programme Participants
- They have experience working in Japanese organisations and are familiar with Japan’s unique business culture
- They have experience speaking publicly and have strong presentation skills
- They demonstrate outstanding flexibility and quick learning skills, cultivated by having to undertake a diverse range of duties in unfamiliar environments
- They are strong self-starters, used to creating and completing work independently, thanks to familiarity with working in small teams
- They possess a unique network due to their work experience in schools, local government, and other public institutions.
- There are some participants who have work experience in a wide variety of fields
About the 2026 JET Programme Career Fairs
Osaka
- Date
14 February, 2026 (Sat)
- Time
13:00～16:00
- Format
In person
- Location
Mydome Osaka
Exhibition Hall E
2-5, Honmachibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka - Number of exhibitors
About 50 companies
- Number of participants
About 200 people
Tokyo
- Date
22 February, 2026 (Sun)
- Time
13:00～17:00
- Format
In person
- Location
Tokyo Ryutsu Center
Second Exhibition Hall, F Hall
6-1-1, Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo - Number of exhibitors
About 100 companies
- Number of participants
About 300 people
Past Companies
| Year rowspan="2" | Venue colspan="4" | |||
| Greater Tokyo | Osaka | Fukuoka | Online | |
| 2025 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | ー |
| 2024 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | Online |
| 2023 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | Online |
| 2022 | ー | ー | ー | Online |
| 2021 | ー | ー | ー | Online |
| 2020 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | ー |
| 2019 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | Fukuoka | ー |
| 2017 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | ー |
| 2016 | Greater Tokyo | Osaka | ー | ー |
Testimonials
See JET in Action
JET Programme participants are highly sought after by companies who are looking to hire foreign workers from within Japan. This video highlights former JETs as cultural ambassadors that are excellent at communication, flexible, and well versed in Japanese culture and way of life. Please check it out!
JET Programme Participants Active in Japan
Discover more about the JET Programme on our YouTube channel.
About Residence Status
It is necessary to check the residence status of any JET participant in Japan carefully, in order to avoid any risk of illegal employment. Should a JET participant plan to remain in Japan even one day longer than the original period of stay mandated by their existing residence card, he or she must apply for an extension of the valid period of their residence card.
In addition, if the participant is to engage in activities other than those permitted by their status of residence, they must apply for a change in residence status.
The residence status types of JET participants are as follows.
Assistant Language Teachers (ALT)
Kyoiku (Instructor)
Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)
Gijutsu /Jinbunchishiki /Kokusaigyomu (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)
Sports Educational Assistants (SEA)
Gino (Skilled Labor)
Please visit the following webpage for details of other types of residence status.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html
*Contact the centre below with any enquiries about residence status
Immigration Information Centre
- TEL
0570-013904
(dial 03-5796-7112 from IP, PHS, overseas)
Open weekdays, 8:30-17:15 - URL
Eligibility to Participate in the Career Fair
We welcome participation from companies across various industries and sectors. However, to support the career advancement of JET Programme participants, we do not accept companies seeking to hire Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs). If the position includes responsibilities beyond those of an ALT, participation is permitted.
Additionally, we do not accept participation from companies that do not aim to directly hire JET Programme participants, such as recruitment agencies.
FAQ
What level of Japanese language skill do JET participants at the Career Fair have？
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.
What subjects did JET participants study as students?
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.
What is the average age of participants upon leaving the JET Programme?
| 20-24 years old | Approximately 30% |
| 25-29 years old | Approximately 50% |
| 30-34 years old | Approximately 15% |
| 35-39 years old | Approximately 5% |
| 40-44 years old | Approximately 1% |
| 50 years old and above | Approximately 0.5% |
When do JET participants become available for employment?
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.
Is it permissible to use personal data gained through Career Fairs and Internships in the recruitment process?
Yes, as long as such information is used only for recruitment and screening.
Can we be introduced to JET Programme participants or JET alumni?
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.
Can all JET participants speak English?
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.
What are some comments about the Career Fair according to participating companies in the past?
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”
Contact
Coordination Division
If you have questions about the overall administration of the JET Programme or career‑related matters, please contact this division.
Main responsibilities include:
- Planning programme initiatives such as those for Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and preparing public relations materials
- Planning and managing the Post-Arrival Orientation, Mid-Year Conferences, and Non-Recontracting Participants Seminar
- Recruitment, selection, placement, and reappointment procedures for participants, as well as travel support
- Career support initiatives, including career fairs and internship programmes
- Coordination relating to JETOB and JETAA
Business Hours: 9:00-17:45
Training and Counseling Division
For enquiries about daily life, wellbeing, or programme regulations, please contact this division.
Main responsibilities include:
- Providing consultation on insurance, remuneration, taxes, reimbursable expenses, and reappointment
- Online counseling, mental‑health counseling subsidies, and emergency support
- Providing information during disasters and guidance on employment regulations
- Various training sessions and orientations, including the JET Japanese-language courses
- Producing handbooks, manuals, and other training materials
Business Hours: 9:00-17:45
Please select the category that applies to you from the options below.
Are you currently employing a JET participant?
Which division would you like to contact?
For enquiries regarding the overall administration of the JET Programme or matters related to career support, please contact us here.
Main responsibilities include:
- Planning programme initiatives such as those for Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and preparing public relations materials
- Planning and managing the Post-Arrival Orientation, Mid-Year Conferences, and Non-Recontracting Participants Seminar
- Recruitment, selection, placement, and reappointment procedures for participants, as well as travel support
- Career support initiatives, including career fairs and internship programmes
- Coordination relating to JETOB and JETAA
For enquiries about daily life, wellbeing, or programme regulations, please contact this division.
Main responsibilities include:
- Providing consultation on insurance, remuneration, taxes, reimbursable expenses, and reappointment
- Online counselling, mental‑health counselling subsidies, and emergency support
- Providing information during disasters and guidance on employment regulations
- Various training sessions and orientations, including the JET Japanese-language courses
- Producing handbooks, manuals, and other training materials
Coordination Division
Training and Counseling Division
Have you already contacted your contracting organisation’s JET supervisor?
Have you already consulted your PA (Prefectural Advisor)?
Please contact your contracting
organisation’s JET representative
first.
If you cannot reach them,
please consult your PA (Prefectural
Advisor).
CLAIR contact details are listed in the CLAIR News email
—please check
there.
If you are not receiving CLAIR News,
please contact your
supervisor or PA.
Please contact your PA (Prefectural Advisor) first.
Please contact the nearest Japanese embassy /
consulate in your home country.
Please contact the office below.
Our university operates in both English and Japanese, with half of our students coming from over 100 countries and regions. To support this diverse environment, we seek staff who not only have strong language skills but also understand multicultural contexts and can work collaboratively across cultures.
Each year, many JET Programme participants visit our booth at the career fair, leading to numerous applications and successful hires. JET alumni bring advanced language proficiency, along with strong communication skills and intercultural awareness developed through hands-on experience in schools and local government. They quickly become valuable members of our team, contributing meaningfully to student life and to the support of our educational and research activities.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
rom day one at HTM there is an opportunity to work directly with international clients improving their Japanese operations.
Many JETs, with their experience moving to a new country and working as educators or in city halls, have the initiative, creativity, and communication skills needed to rise to these challenges. The eight JETs on our team have quickly become key members leading the designs of our processes and systems, managing our coaching and learning programs, and meeting with potential clients from around the world.
HTM Corporation
Our company has hired many former JET participants over the years, and we participate in the career fair because it provides a valuable opportunity to engage directly with JET alumni. We greatly appreciate the chance to share the firsthand experiences of those who have joined our team through the program. Many of our JET hires bring with them a clear vision of how they can contribute to our company’s growth, and they are eager to grow alongside us. They are often highly sociable individuals who actively participate in company events and foster a positive workplace culture. We firmly believe that JET participants with strong Japanese language skills play a vital role in bridging Japan and the international community. We look forward to continuing to meet outstanding JET participants through future career fairs.
HTM Corporation