The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, JET, is the largest government-run exchange program of its kind in the world. Since 1987 it has brought more than 80,000 young graduates to Japan, most of them as assistant English teachers in public schools. Recruitment abroad runs through Japan’s embassies and consulates, which is why nearly every Japanese embassy website has a JET section. This guide explains how the program works, what it pays and how Americans apply.
What JET Is and Who Runs It
JET is run by Japanese local governments together with three national ministries: the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) coordinates the program in Japan and supports participants after arrival. The participant’s actual employer is the host organization: a prefecture, city, town, village, board of education or, in a few cases, a private school.
Outside Japan, the embassies and consulates publish the application guidelines, screen applications, hold interviews and run pre-departure orientations. In the United States, applicants deal with the Embassy of Japan in Washington or the consulate-general responsible for their state.
JET in Numbers
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| First year | 1987: 848 participants from 4 countries |
| Participants since 1987 | 80,862 |
| Peak | 2002: 6,273 participants |
| Participants in 2026 | 5,734 from 53 countries |
| Host organizations | About 1,000, in all 47 prefectures and 18 designated cities |
The Three Positions
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
About nine in ten participants are ALTs. They team-teach with Japanese teachers of English in elementary, junior high and senior high schools, prepare activities and materials, and help with speech contests and English clubs. Some ALTs are based at one high school; others rotate among several elementary and junior high schools in a town. The Japanese teacher remains in charge of the class.
Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)
CIRs work in the international affairs sections of prefectural and municipal offices. They translate documents and websites, interpret for visiting delegations, organize international exchange events, support foreign residents and look after sister-city relationships. The position requires functional Japanese, and the day-to-day work resembles that of a local government employee.
Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA)
A small number of SEAs coach athletes and teams through local sports organizations, usually in a sport in which they have competed at a high level.
Where Participants Are Placed
Applicants can list preferred regions and explain special circumstances, but the program decides the placement. Placements range from prefectural capitals to farming towns, mountain villages and remote islands, and rural placements are common. A participant in a small town may be the only foreign resident for miles, will often need a car, and becomes a well-known face at the local supermarket.
Pay, Contract and Benefits
- Contract: one year, starting in late July or early August.
- Renewal: possible each year by mutual agreement, generally up to five years in total.
- Pay: about 4.02 million yen in the first year under the 2026 guidelines, with increases on renewal. Participants pay Japanese social insurance and, depending on tax status, income and resident tax from this amount.
- Insurance: enrollment in Japanese health insurance, the national pension system and employment insurance.
- Housing: arranged or assisted by the host organization; rent is usually paid by the participant, often at a moderate level.
- Travel: the flight to Japan is provided, and a return flight for participants who complete their contract.
- Orientation: a pre-departure orientation at home and an arrival orientation in Tokyo.
Who Can Apply
- Citizenship of a participating country, held at the time of application.
- A bachelor’s degree, or a degree obtained by the arrival date.
- A genuine interest in Japan and willingness to live there for at least a year.
- For ALTs: excellent pronunciation, grammar and writing in English. Neither Japanese nor a teaching license is required, but both strengthen an application.
- For CIRs: functional Japanese, tested in the interview.
- Long previous residence in Japan or recent participation in JET can disqualify an applicant; the current guidelines set the exact limits.
The Application Year Step by Step
- Autumn (roughly October to November): submit the online application with a statement of purpose, references, university transcripts and a medical self-assessment.
- January and February: interviews at the embassy or consulates. Panels often include a former JET participant, and ALT candidates may be asked to give a short mock lesson.
- Around April: results. Some applicants are named alternates and may be upgraded later in the year.
- Summer: pre-departure orientation, visa application and placement notice.
- Late July or early August: departure with Group A, or later in August with the smaller Group B.
Tips From the Selection Process
The statement of purpose carries the most weight. It should answer two questions concretely: why Japan, and why working with children or in a local community. Experience such as tutoring, coaching, camp counseling or volunteering with young people is worth describing. For the mock lesson, a short, simple activity with clear instructions works better than an elaborate plan. Placement preferences should be honest; applicants who reject rural placements outright reduce their chances.
How JET Has Changed
After the 2002 peak, many local governments began hiring ALTs through private dispatch companies, which cost less, and JET numbers fell for about a decade. Demand has recovered since English was made a formal subject for fifth and sixth graders in 2020, when schools needed more native speakers. The pandemic disrupted the program in 2020: many selected participants waited months, and some could only enter Japan in 2021 or 2022 when the borders reopened.
After JET: The Alumni Network
Former participants are organized in JET Alumni Association (JETAA) chapters across the United States and in other countries. Alumni hold career events, help new participants prepare and keep ties with Japan. Many go on to work in diplomacy, education, translation or companies doing business with Japan, and some join the embassy panels that interview the next applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Japanese?
Not for the ALT position, although basic Japanese makes daily life much easier. The CIR position requires functional Japanese.
Can I choose where I live?
No. Applicants can state preferences, but the placement is decided by the program, and many placements are in rural areas.
How much does JET pay?
About 4.02 million yen in the first year under the 2026 guidelines, rising with each renewal.
How long can I stay?
Contracts run for one year and can be renewed, generally up to five years in total.
This site is an independent reference on Japan’s diplomatic missions and is not an embassy or the JET Programme office.
