CLAIR News March 2026
Pinned Notices
Safety Confirmation System & Contact Information Survey Registration
In the event of a disaster, CLAIR uses its Safety Confirmation System (Emergency Call) to verify the safety of JET Programme participants in the affected area. Responding to safety notifications is quick, so please do so immediately upon receipt. We also kindly ask that you report any updates to your contact details as soon as possible.
Safety Confirmation Registration
Every year, emergency warnings are issued across Japan. Additionally, Japan is vulnerable to major earthquakes and other natural disasters. When these events happen, embassies and consulates may contact CLAIR to verify the safety of JET Programme participants. In these cases, CLAIR provides data from its Safety Confirmation System. For this reason, we ask that you not only respond swiftly during emergencies, but that JET Programme participants and supervisors cooperate to ensure proper registration and understanding of response procedures.
A password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: ID and PW: last 9 digits of your JET# without the 20 in frontA password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: ID and PW: last 9 digits of your JET# without the 20 in frontImportant: If your contracting organisation has changed, please register your new address right away.
Additional Notes
- Safety confirmation requests are sent out based on the registered host prefecture or designated city. You may receive a confirmation check even if you are not physically near the affected area. Please still respond in these cases.
- We cannot conduct safety checks by phone.
- Prefectural advisors and supervisors who wish to conduct a Safety Confirmation System drill/simulation may contact CLAIR to request one.
Emergency Pocket Guide for JET Programme Participants
To ensure your safety in Japan, please take the time to prepare in the event of a disaster.
CLAIR has put together an Emergency Pocket Guide for use during a disaster. Please fill in the key sections and keep the guide with you at all times, as a disaster can happen at any moment.
Note: CLAIR also hands out the Emergency Pocket Guide to new participants during orientation.
Contact Information Survey Registration
CLAIR requires registration of an email address to make use of online training services offered to JET Programme participants.
You can also update your contact information through the same link.
A password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: ID: JET# / PW: Date of birth (YYYYMMDD)Note: For JET Programme participants who were originally scheduled to arrive in Japan in 2020 or 2021, please use your pre-arrival JET number that starts with 2020 or 2021.
Mental Health Support Resources
Mental Health Counselling Assistance Programme
Subsidy Application Deadline: Wednesday, 1 April 2026
CLAIR offers the JET Programme Mental Health Counselling Assistance Programme with the aim of enhancing mental health support for JET Programme participants. This Programme provides a partial subsidy (50%, up to 30,000 yen per year) for counselling costs incurred through consultation with mental health professionals not covered by health insurance.
The coverage period for this year is 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026. Application documents for the subsidy should be submitted through contracting organisations and arrive at CLAIR no later than Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
Please bear in mind that any applications CLAIR receives after the 1 April 2026 deadline will not be eligible for the subsidy.
Email and Video Counselling
JET Programme participants can also benefit from free counselling offered by CLAIR via email and Video Call. (via Microsoft Teams)
If you wish to use these services, please access them using the URL below, input the ID/password, and follow the instructions for registration. To help the counselling service to communicate with you more effectively, please register with your personal email address instead of a work or organizational one. If you haven’t done so yet, we kindly ask you to update your information. Up to seven video-call sessions are available between 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026. We recommend starting with email, which has no limits on usage.
A password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: Please check your email version of CLAIR News for the login and passwordJET Programme General Information Handbook (GIH)
Every year, CLAIR updates the General Information Handbook (GIH) for JET Programme participants. Please be sure to refer to it whenever you have questions regarding living in Japan or JET Programme policies.
You can consult/download the latest version of the GIH at the link below.
2025–26 Non-recontracting JET Programme Participants Seminar
On 4 February, CLAIR offered the ‘JET Programme Non-recontracting JET Programme Participants Seminar’ to those who will be completing their tenure on the programme in 2026, as well as their supervisors and all Prefectural Advisors (PAs).
The seminar provided information on preparation timelines, checklist items, standard tips for moving within or from Japan, essential paperwork, and post-JET Programme information. The materials for this seminar, along with recordings of each session, as well as a written record of the Q&A sessions, are now available on the JET Programme Homepage using the link below.
A password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: Please check your email version of CLAIR News for the login and passwordTime-Sensitive Notices
Japanese Language Courses (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)
Important Update about the Japanese Language Courses
As of 1 April 2025, CLAIR’s Japanese language course has been renewed. Even if you were registered to the old course, you need to sign up for the new course through the following application form:
Applications received before the 20th of any month will allow you to start the course starting from the 1st of the following month. In addition, applications received between the 21st of any month and the 5th of the following month will allow you to start the course starting from the 15th of the following month. Your login credentials will be sent via email. Please make sure to allow emails from addresses ending in ‘@attainj.co.jp’. For the month of March, we will not be accepting any applications for the Japanese course. We will resume taking applications and continue to provide updates in April 2026.
New Course Tutorial and Course Guide
Following a change in the provider of the course, a video tutorial is available to show new students around the platform. You can find the video tutorial and course guide at the following link. We hope this new course helps you in your endeavours to learn Japanese.
Regarding Unit Deadlines
Each unit should be completed within one month to ensure the course is finished in a reasonable timeframe. However, you are responsible for attending the course at a reasonable pace.
Note: Questions about course content (grammar, vocabulary, etc.) may be submitted through the course provider website. A Japanese instructor will answer them. Please note that responses may take a few days.
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Grant Applications Now Open
Grant Application Deadline (Second Test of 2025 (December)): 13 March 2026
CLAIR offers the 2025–26 grant for JLPT to JET Programme participants who have passed the N1, N2, or N3 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in either the first or second test of 2025. The grant will reimburse the complete testing fee of 7,500 yen. Results for the second test were sent out in late January 2026.
Important: Website results are not accepted. Make sure to apply when you have received your paper results via mail.
To apply, please complete the electronic application form via the following link before the grant application deadline. You will find all the necessary information about the eligibility and application process at the following link
Important: make sure to carefully read the explanation documents before applying. Incomplete/invalid applications will have to be resubmitted. The final deadline for resubmission is 16 March 2026.
Additionally, for information regarding the first test of 2026, please see the following link (non-CLAIR affiliated)
Applications Open for the 2026 JET Training Programme for Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (Japan Foundation)
Application Deadline: Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 23:59 JST
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute in Urawa (Saitama Prefecture) offers a training programme for JET Programme participants interested in becoming Japanese-language teachers or who wish to engage in Japanese-language education in the future.
The training programme primarily consists of interactive workshops where participants draw on their experiences in Japan to develop practical approaches to teaching Japanese. In addition to preparing participants for future teaching roles, the training also provides skills and insights that can be applied to their current work on the JET Programme. Please note that this training programme is not for studying Japanese. Tuition and accommodation are provided free of charge.
- Duration
Monday, 11 May 2026 – Wednesday, 20 May 2026
- Application
Please download the application documents from the link below.
Then carefully read (a) Outline of the Program and (b) Information Required for the Application Form, and prepare your answers to fill in the application form below. - Deadline
Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 23:59 (JST)
- Contact
The Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute, Urawa
nc_jet@jpf.go.jp
048-834-1181
Note: Applicants must obtain approval from their contracting organization (CO) before applying.
In addition, please confirm with your CO how participation in this training will be treated in the workplace (as a business trip, or by taking paid leave to attend privately).
2026 Second National AJET Professional Learning Seminar
Application Deadline: Monday, 23 March 2026, 16:00 JST
AJET would like to invite you to attend their second online Professional Learning Seminar for 2026, which will focus on understanding cultural differences in communication.
Understanding cultural differences in communication is crucial in multicultural work environments where individuals can face challenges adapting to the host or majority culture.
This presentation will provide insight into practical cross-communication strategies to help ALTs and their Japanese coworkers foster effective workplace interactions.
In addition to ALTs, Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) and Japanese homeroom teachers who are interested in attending are also very welcome. Teachers who wish to participate are kindly asked to contact the AJET team directly via email.
If you have any additional questions or queries, please address them to the email below.
- Title
Communication Issues between Cultures: Missed and Mixed Messaging
- Presenter
Professor Melissa Huntley (Shimane University Lecturer)
- Date/Time
Wednesday, 25 March 2026 10:00 – 11:30 JST
- Location
Online (Google Meet)
- Language
English
- Contact
Important: If this seminar takes place during your working hours, please ensure that your attendance does not interfere with any working duties, communicate with your supervisor, and receive permission to attend. Your supervisor may ask that you attend other duties rather than the seminar.
Seasonal/Recurring Notices
2025–26 JET Programme Opinion Exchange (CIR)
On 24 February 2026, CLAIR hosted the 2025–26 JET Programme participant opinion exchange for Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). We invited twelve CIRs to discuss three themes: training, communication, and support.
During the discussion, we received feedback on various topics including training conferences’ lectures and networking sessions, support programmes, handbooks materials, and communication between CIRs and CLAIR.
These opinions will be taken into consideration and shared within CLAIR to discuss and implement necessary changes to the Programme.
Information for JET Programme Participants Ending their Term of Appointment
JET Programme participants finishing their appointments in 2026 should refer to CLAIR’s online After JET Guide for information about how to prepare for their successor, move out of their apartment, deal with reverse culture shock, or prepare for their next career move.
If you are finishing your term of appointment on the JET Programme this year and returning to your home country, please make sure you discuss travel arrangements with your contracting organisation as early as possible.
Period of Stay and Status of Residence Renewal
To the attention of those who arrived in spring:
It might be time to extend your period of stay, so please check the dates written on your residence card (especially JET Programme participants in their third year who will be reappointed for another term).
For information on extending your period of stay or changing your status of residence, please refer to the Section 2.6 Status of Residence in the General Information Handbook (GIH).
Please be careful, as failure to extend your period of stay can result in your being asked to leave the country.
Embassy Information for JET Programme Participants
CLAIR maintains a webpage on the JET Programme website for diplomatic missions in Japan to post information to the attention of JET Programme participants from their country. Please check this page regularly for updates.
Note: CLAIR does not bear responsibility for information provided through this page.
Please direct any enquiries about specific information to the embassy in question.
Registering with your Embassy
All JET Programme participants are strongly advised to register with their home country’s embassy or local consulate and/or through their embassy-run travel registration system while living in Japan. Your embassy may be able to help you and your relatives obtain necessary information and check on each other’s safety in times of emergency. Please check the website of your home country’s embassy or local consulate for more details.
Home Country Taxes
Personal tax affairs in one’s home country are the responsibility of each JET Programme participant. Be sure to obtain and keep your gensen chōshūhyō, or Statement of Earnings, from your contracting organisation, as this may be necessary for filing your taxes abroad. Please refer to the General Information Handbook (GIH) for more details.
Enrolment in Property Insurance
Is your house or apartment covered by property insurance (kasai hoken)? If you do not know, we recommend you check with your contracting organisation supervisor.
There have been several cases where JET Programme participants were forced to pay for damages to not only their own but also their neighbours’ housing when there were water leaks or other problems. (If a water leak occurs, damage to the property of neighbours is covered by the JET Accident Insurance Policy Liability Endorsement, but damage to your own property, as well as damage to the structure or building, can only be covered by property insurance.)
Whether or not to purchase property insurance is your choice. However, costs can be very high if you are found liable for any damages. Therefore, CLAIR recommends that participants enrol in property insurance.
Although the majority of JET Programme participants live in rental properties, earthquake insurance may also be taken to account for the cost of lost household items, such as personal computers or TVs. Therefore, please take care to research a suitable form of insurance for your situation.
Call for Writers for ‘JET Kara no Tegami’
CLAIR is searching for writers for the ‘JET kara no tegami’ (‘Letters from JETs’) column in its monthly serialised magazine, CLAIR Forum. In this column, participants share information about themselves and their activities during their appointment on the JET Programme. As CLAIR Forum is a Japanese publication distributed to local authorities and other relevant organisations, successful applicants will be asked to write their article in Japanese (approximately 1600 Japanese characters, or about 800 English words).
If you are interested in writing for CLAIR Forum, please apply via the following URL.
If you are selected to write for CLAIR Forum, you will receive five copies of the magazine containing your article upon publication. CLAIR staff will correct your submissions, so please feel free to get in touch no matter your level of Japanese!
Please note that we may not be able to request articles from all applicants, as writers are selected to ensure a balance between article content, placement area, nationality, and other factors. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Here are some examples of recent articles from JET Programme participants:
JET Programme Official Social Media
CLAIR regularly shares information of interest to both current and former JET Programme participants on the following social media platforms. Be sure to follow us to stay informed about upcoming opportunities and updates!