CLAIR News September 2026
- Safety Confirmation System & Contact Information Survey Registration
- Contact Information Survey Registration
- Mental Health Counselling Assistance ProgrammeSubsidy Application Deadline: Thursday, 1 April 2027
- Email and Video Mental Health Counselling
- JET Programme General Information Handbook (GIH)
- Japanese Language Courses (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)Application Deadline: 20 September (October Intake) | 5 October (Mid-October Intake)
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 Counselling Assistance Programme
Subsidy Application Deadline: Thursday, 1 April 2027
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 2026 – 31 March 2027. Application documents for the subsidy should be submitted through contracting organisations and arrive at CLAIR no later than Thursday, 1 April 2027.
Please bear in mind that any applications CLAIR receives after the 1 April 2027 deadline will not be eligible for the subsidy.
Important: if you will be finishing your time on the JET Programme and leaving Japan this year, please apply for the subsidy one month prior to closing your Japanese bank account, at the latest. In your application, please also communicate your status as leaving the programme, along with the approximate date that you will close your Japanese bank account(s).
Email and Video Mental Health Counselling
JET Programme participants can also benefit from free counselling offered by CLAIR via email and video call.
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 organisational 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 2026 – 31 March 2027. 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.
Japanese Language Courses (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)
Application Deadline: 20 September (October Intake) | 5 October (Mid-October Intake)
Important Update about the Japanese Language Courses
You can register for the CLAIR Japanese Language Course using the application form below.
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’.
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 time frame. 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.
Time-Sensitive Notices
We’re Accepting Submissions for the JET Programme 40th Anniversary JET Arigato Campaign!
Application Form Deadline: 19 September 2026
As part of our celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the JET Programme, we've launched the “JET Arigato Campaign,” inviting everyone to share their “ARIGATO” messages!
For more details, please see the campaign webpage linked below.
Be a Speaker at the Upcoming CIR Mid-Year Conference!
Application deadline: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 5 PM
CLAIR is looking for CIRs who would like to present about their work at the CIR Mid-Year Conference, which will take place from 16–18 November 2026!
- Eligibility
Current CIRs
- Date / Time
Wednesday, 18 November 2026
9:45–10:30 (slot #1), 10:45–11:30 (slot #2), or 11:45-12:30 (slot #3) - Venue
National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (3-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
- Topics
・Workshops/School visits
・Promotion/Public relations
・Event Planning
・Multicultural Promotion
・Free Topic (i.e., Friendship Agreements, any other topics that do not fall under the above)
Note: You are welcome to submit multiple applications for different topics.
Additional Notes
- Presentations will be in Japanese (45 minutes including time for a question and answer session).
- You will be asked to rank your preferred time slots from 1 to 3, but please be aware that CLAIR will be responsible for final decisions on scheduling.
Miscellaneous
We are currently confirming attendance for the CIR Mid-year Conference alongside this outreach for presenters. For more information about the confirence and RSVP, please ask your contracting organisation supervisor.
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Grant Applications Now Open
Grant Application Deadline (First Test of 2026 (July)): 20 November 2026
CLAIR offers a grant to JET Programme participants who have passed the N1, N2, or N3 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) for either the first or second test of 2026. The grant will reimburse the complete testing fee of 7,500 yen. Results for the first test were sent out in early September 2026.
Important: A screenshot of the website results will not be accepted. Make sure to submit your application after 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.
Additionally, for information regarding the second test of 2026, please see the following link (non-CLAIR affiliated):
In-Person Translation and Interpretation Course (English)
CLAIR offers a yearly in-person translation and interpretation course for English speakers who have completed the Online Translation and Interpretation Course. This training will take place from Monday through Friday, 7–11 December 2026. Please note that this is not a course aimed at improving one's Japanese language skills, and a high level of Japanese (equivalent to JLPT N2 and above) is required to enrol in the course.
Course Information
●Date & Time: Monday 7 December to Friday 11 December (5 days, 4 nights)
Note: Monday, 7 December's start time will be 12:20, and Friday, 11 December's end time will be 12:30.
●Location: Japan Intercultural Academy of Municipalities (JIAM)（2-13-1 Karasaki, Otsu-shi, Shiga)
Venue access: https://www.jiam.jp/about/access.html
Note: Participants will stay at the venue throughout the conference in the provided lodging.
A finalised schedule and application details will be sent to all contracting organisations soon.
CIR Survey and the CIR Database
This month, CLAIR will send a notice to all CIRs asking them to fill in the "CIR Database" survey form.
Answers will be used internally to help better align seminars aimed at CIRs with their actual work duties, but completion of the form is not mandatory.
We ask that you please fill in the questionnaire no later than Friday, December 4th.
In addition, CLAIR will also compile a CIR information list from CIRs who have given their consent.
This list will contain placement details and contact information, languages spoken, work duties, etc. so that CIRs may contact their peers when in need. More details about this project can be found in the materials sent to contracting organisations.
We will send out information about how to access the database through your Host Prefecture/Designated City.
We ask that you please contact your supervisor if you require access.
Please note the following points:
- Names are only displayed in katakana to add a layer of protection to respondents' privacy.
- To prevent abuse, copying/pasting has been disabled.
- CLAIR reserves the right to correct/remove information at the express request of the respondent. CLAIR may also revoke access to the database without notice if abuse is detected/reported.
Grant for TEFL/TESOL Certification
Application Deadline: 15 February 2027 at 17:00 (JST)
Information regarding the 2026–27 TEFL/TESOL Certification Grant has been published on the JET Programme website and sent out to contracting organisations. Details are available on the page below.
Enquiries are to be addressed to CLAIR’s grant-specific email address.
Seasonal/Recurring Notices
The 15th International Symposium of America-Japan Societies in Fukuoka
The America-Japan Society is holding their 15th annual symposium in Fukuoka City this October, from October 22 (Thursday) to October 24 (Saturday). Those interested in registering should visit the official webpage for more details.
Note: This event is not hosted by CLAIR. If you wish to attend on weekdays, please communicate with your contracting organisation.
Annual National AJET Survey
The AJET National Council invites JET Programme participants to participate in their 2026 National Opinion Exchange Survey. AJET uses the results of this survey to provide suggestions to CLAIR and the three ministries at the annual AJET Opinion Exchange. The survey is a chance to bring up common problems and learn why things are done the way they are.
Respondents may opt in to be entered into a raffle for a ¥1500 gift card following the survey end date on 6 November 2026.
*Please note that CLAIR is unable to answer any enquiries regarding survey content or completion.
AJET Introduction Video
AJET is a volunteer organisation of current JET Programme participants who run various initiatives to support the JET community.
If you are interested in learning about them, please watch this video.
The Disaster Preparedness Drill Book for Foreign Residents
This Disaster Preparedness Drill Book (written in English) was jointly developed by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and its partner institution, Iwate University, in memory of two JET Program participants, Taylor Anderson, a graduate of Randolph-Macon College, and Montgomery (Monty) Dickson, a UAA graduate, who both lost their lives in the tsunami following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. It stems from the profound regrets of one of its authors, Harada, Monty’s academic advisor, who realized that she had not taught disaster-related vocabulary and knowledge while at UAA. In the drill book, the vocabulary section was compiled by teachers from the American Association of Teachers of Japanese, whilst the sections covering specialist knowledge were prepared by experts from the Research Centre for Regional Disaster Management at Iwate University. Commemorating Taylor and Monty, this drill book is primarily designed for JET Program participants; however, the content, packed with drills and quizzes, is also for visitors to Japan and people residing there. All authors hope that this resource will help to deepen understanding of Japan, a natural disaster-prone country, and be of help during disasters.
Web version:
https://sites.google.com/iwate-u.ac.jp/dpdb/about
Mobile app (iOS version only:
Search for the app, "Disaster Preparedness Drill Book," in your device's app store to download and install.
Contacts:
- Hiroko Harada: University of Alaska Anchorage ＜hharada@alaska.edu＞
- Shin Koshiya: Research Centre for Regional Disaster Management at Iwate University <koshiya@iwate-u.ac.jp>
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.
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.
2027–28 Reappointment Procedures
Reappointment procedures will soon begin for the following JET Programme participants.
- Eligibility
JET Programme participants whose term of appointment began between 2023 and 2026
Please wait until you have received the reappointment documents from your contracting organisation. Please read the documents carefully and consult with your supervisor if you have any questions.
We advise consulting with friends, family, supervisors, etc. before making your decision. Changes cannot be made to reappointment decisions after the submission deadline.
The reappointment documents will also be made available on the JET Programme website after the official notice is sent out to contracting organisations. Please refer to the link below.
You can find more information about reappointment in the GIH (Section 2.2 Reappointment). Please note that the content of the GIH may differ from the reappointment documents provided by your contracting organisation, in which case, please prioritise the content in the documents provided by your contracting organisation.
Changes Regarding Driving in Japan
As of October 2025, the procedures for converting a foreign driver’s licence to a Japanese driver’s licence have become stricter. Be sure to thoroughly prepare for the written and practical exams. Depending on the driver’s licence center, the process from application to completion may take several months. We recommend that you apply at least six months before your current license expires.
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!
2025–26 ALT, CIR, and PA Case Studies Now Online
Case study collections featuring a range of projects and ongoing initiatives from current Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), and Prefectural Advisor (PA) JET Programme participants are now available to download from the JET Programme website. We hope that these collections will be useful in your future endeavors.
You can find the case studies under the ‘Download Materials’ section of each page.
A password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: Ask your JET Programme supervisorA password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: Ask your JET Programme supervisorA password is needed to access the system.
Password hint: Ask your JET Programme supervisorInformation 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.
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.