The JET Programme is a government-sponsored, large-scale international exchange programme. JET began in with the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations. It aims to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.

The JET Programme is an exchange programme on many levels. First, each participant brings their culture to a local community in Japan, helping the geographically isolated country to gain personal contact with peoples of other nations. Second, each participant will learn a great deal about Japan and people and customs here, knowledge that we hope participants will share with their friends and family upon returning home. Many JET participants come to teach, but ultimately they learn much more about Japan and their home country as well.

No, the JET Programme is not a study abroad. A position on the JET Programme is contracted employment at a host institution doing work that is assigned to you by your employer.

Many aspects distinguish the JET Programme from other English teaching and exchange opportunities. First, on the most fundamental level, the JET Programme is sponsored by three Japanese Ministries (MIC, MOFA, MEXT), and places JET participants within local governments around Japan. As a government sponsored programme, JET is not a language school business that hopes to profit off of English education. The goal of JET is to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at the community level.

Many qualities of the JET Programme make it unique. Perhaps the most important of these is the extensive support network provided for each participant. Since many JET participants are placed in rural, somewhat isolated areas, networks have been established to ensure that assistance is available to any who require it. Read more about the support system here.

While each position on the Programme is a job, it is also much more than that. JET participants are asked to be cultural ambassadors, a role that extends far beyond the 9 to 5 work day. They must constantly be aware of their behaviour and make an effort to adapt to the Japanese way of doing things. Participants are expected to take an active role in the community, which may include staying late at school to help with a club or sport, volunteering with local groups and participating in community events.

The JET Programme welcomes participants twice each year, based on the participating country. Participants from Brazil, China, Korea and Peru begin in April, and participants from all other countries begin in late July / early August. It is not possible to join at other times.

Participants entering into the Programme should be fully aware that the JET Programme is a one-year commitment. Acceptance into the Programme is by no means a guarantee of two, or three or even five years of participation. However, if both the participant and Contracting Organisation agree, it may be possible to re-contract for up to four times, allowing the participant to stay five years.