About the JET Programme

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme—JET for short—is a government-sponsored initiative that invites college graduates from around the world to live and work in Japan.

The programme primarily places participants in local governments, boards of education, and public schools across Japan, where they support foreign language instruction and international exchange activities. Through these efforts, the JET Programme promotes grassroots internationalization and fosters mutual understanding between Japan and other countries.

Highly regarded both within Japan and internationally, the JET Programme has grown into one of the largest and most successful international exchange initiatives of its kind. It helps build lasting global networks between participants and local communities, contributing to a more connected and culturally enriched international society.

The JET Programme has grown significantly since its start in 1987, with the number of participating countries in the JET Programme growing from 4 to 54, and the number of participants from 848 to 5,933. More than 80,000 people from 82 countries have participated in the JET Programme through its years.

Currently, approximately 1,000 local public organisations (contracting organisations), including 46 prefectures and 18 designated cities employ JET Programme participants
The specific work activities of JET Programme participants are independently decided by each prefectural governor or city/town mayor.Although the organisations involved in the JET Programme are primarily local government authorities, JET Programme participants may also be placed in private schools when there is a request.

5,418 (as of July 2025)

These participants are placed mainly in public schools or local boards of education.
ALTs assist with classes taught by Japanese Teachers of English/Language (JTEs/JTLs) and are thus involved in the preparation of teaching materials and in extracurricular activities such as English clubs or sports teams.
More than 90% of JET participants are employed as ALTs.

• WorkplacesElementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, and boards of education
• Primary Duties
  1. Assistance in foreign language and other instruction in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.
  2. Assistance in foreign language and other related activities in elementary schools.
  3. Assistance in preparation of foreign language teaching materials.
  4. Assistance in foreign language training for teachers and other personnel.
  5. Cooperation in extracurricular activities and club activities.
  6. Provision of linguistic information (e.g., word usage, pronunciation, etc.) to foreign language instruction supervisors and teachers, among others.
  7. Cooperation in foreign language speech contests.
  8. Cooperation in local international exchange activities.
  9. Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor or school principal.

503 (as of July 2025)

Applicants with a functional command of the Japanese language can apply to work as CIRs, assisting local government offices in international exchange activities at the local level. Just under 10% of JET participants are CIRs and major duties often include translation/interpretation for government officials, teaching community or school English classes, and international exchange event planning and implementation.

• WorkplacesInternational Affairs Divisions (e.g., International Relations, International Economic Affairs, Overseas Promotion, Tourism and Industry, International Exchange Associations)
• Primary Duties
  1. Assistance in international exchange affairs at the contracting organisation (e.g., editing, translating, and compiling publications into a foreign language; cooperating or advising on the planning, design, and implementation of international exchange projects; hosting official guests from abroad; interpreting at various events, etc.).
  2. Assistance in international economic exchange affairs at the contracting organisation (e.g., cooperation or advising on the planning, design, and implementation of international economic exchange projects, such as expanding the overseas market for local products, attracting foreign tourists to Japanese localities, etc.)
  3. Cooperation in language instruction of employees of the contracting organisation and local residents.
  4. Advising and collaborating on projects with local private groups or organisations engaging in international exchange.
  5. Cooperation in cultural exchange activities (including school visits) for improving local residents' cross-cultural awareness and understanding, and in activities to support foreign residents in Japan.
  6. Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

12(as of July 2025)

SEAs work for local governments, coaching and promoting internationalisation through the universal language of sports. SEAs are sports professionals whose role is to assist with sports training and the planning of sports related projects.

• WorkplacesSports-related departments, such as divisions for sports promotion, boards of education, senior high schools, and sports training centers.
• Primary Duties
  1. Assistance in sports instruction-related affairs at the contracting organisation (e.g., cooperating or advising on the planning, design, and implementation of sports projects).
  2. Cooperation in sports training for promising local athletes.
  3. Cooperation in sports training for employees of the contracting organisation and local residents.
  4. Advising and collaborating on sports projects of local private groups or organisations engaging in international exchange.
  5. Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.