Participants on the JET Programme:
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receive a guaranteed annual gross salary of
3 600 000 yen, with deductions for health and other insurance totalling approximately
480 000 yen/year; (currency converter)
- are flown to Japan and receive return air fare upon completion of their contract;
- are provided with pre-departure training including basic Japanese;
- are assisted with finding housing in Japan (and may receive rental subsidies);
- are supported by an extensive network of other JETs as well as various affiliated organizations in Japan.
Canadian Participants: the salary you earn on JET is exempt from Canadian taxes in accordance with Article 18 of the Canada-Japan tax treaty. |
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| This information is correct as of February 2010. It is possible that certain date-specific criteria may change for the upcoming application period. |
All Canadian applicants must:
- be a national (not just a permanent resident) of Canada;
- if holding dual nationality with Japan, be willing to follow all necessary procedures for renouncing Japanese citizenship prior to accepting a position in April, 2011;
- hold at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, or be able to obtain one prior to departure;
- Be no older than around forty (40) years of age as of April 1, 2010 (please also see the information regarding this issue on the FAQ page);
- be both mentally and physically healthy;
- be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of that interest after arrival;
- be willing to submit a criminal record check and the results of a health examination from a qualified physician.
CIR applicants must:
- be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community;
- have a functional command of the Japanese language (sufficient to function in an office environment).
ALT applicants must:
- have excellent English skills (native speaker proficiency);
- be interested in the Japanese educational system and particularly in the Japanese way of teaching foreign languages;
- be interested in working actively with students;
- be qualified as a language teacher or be strongly motivated to take part in the teaching of foreign languages.
In addition, applicants must:
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not have declined a position in the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the last JET Programme year. (Exceptions to this rule may be made, however, in cases where it is accepted that the participant had a valid, unavoidable reason for withdrawing.)
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not have participated in the JET Programme since 2008 (or for more than five years in total).
- not have lived in Japan for six or more years in total since 2001.
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OVERVIEW
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan and to promote mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The Programme also aims to enhance foreign language education in Japan, and to promote international exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese and foreign youth. These objectives are being achieved by offering JET Programme participants the opportunity to work in local Japanese authorities as well as in public elementary, junior high and senior high schools.
The JET Programme was initiated in 1987 with four countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, sending 848 eager participants to Japan. Canada and Ireland joined the following year. Since then JET has grown into one of the world's largest international exchange programmes with 44 countries so far contributing candidates, and has an excellent reputation in Japan as well as abroad. In 2006-2007, the Programme's 20th anniversary year, a total of 5508 JETs, including 685 Canadians, participated in the programme.
The JET Programme is jointly administered by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Internal Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in conjunction with the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). The programme itself does not employ JET participants. Rather it coordinates the selection of applicants and the placement of those applicants in local institutions (schools, school boards, municipal offices etc) within Japanese communities. It also regulates programme standards, such as salary and benefits. The employer, however, is the local Contracting Organization. As such the JET participant is contractually obliged to the local institution rather than the JET Programme itself.
The two positions open to Canadian applicants are Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) and Assistant Language Teacher (ALT). Applicants may apply for either but not both of these positions each year. Both ALTs and CIRs are hired for a one year contract (beginning the end of July or the beginning of August) with the option to renew at least twice. Further opportunities are available for JETs who have completed their three years and wish to continue employment with the programme. Basic remuneration and benefits are the same for all JET participants although local employee contracts may include other benefits such as housing subsidies and travel allowance at the discretion of the employing Contracting Organization.
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The CIR's primary role is to engage in internationalisation activities at the local government level. These may include running exchange programmes, giving workshops and presentations on international issues and their home countries, providing linguistic support to local officials and participating in local or national events with an international focus. CIRs require strong Japanese language abilities. Approximately 10% of JET participants are in this position. |
ALT |
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ALTs are engaged primarily in language instruction. Placed in local boards of education or publicly run elementary, junior high and senior high schools, ALTs work in cooperation with Japanese foreign language teachers to enhance the communicative focus of language lessons as well as to provide international contact to Japanese students. ALTs teach a variety of foreign languages through the JET programme; Canadian candidates are, howver, only employed in teaching English. Japanese is not required but strong English skills are essential for the ALT position. |
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All JET participants live and work entirely in Japanese communities and have the unique opportunity to explore another society from the inside out. There are plenty of chances, as well, to experience Japanese culture and to develop life-long friendships with Japanese citizens as well as JET participants from around the world.
Applicants to the JET Programme are able to make specific placement requests in the application itself. JET placement authorities will do their best to match requests with available positions. As Contracting Organizations are the JET Programme's "clients", placements are always dictated by local demand. Likewise many, many applicants ask to be placed in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. Consequently there is little chance that such requests can be met.
Japan is a country as fascinating in it's diversity as in it's homogeneity. Each region is steeped in local history and specific cultural traits. In order to make the most of one's JET experience it helps to do some research on the variety of locales within the country in order to make an informed placement request. Please use the icon at left to visit an interactive map of Japan. |
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What are we looking for in our candidates?
While there are many qualities that make an applicant a good addition to the JET Programme the following are key attributes: |
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Adaptable & flexible
To new situations;
Managing stress;
Understanding of cultural differences;
Open-minded.
Easily approachable;
Willing to meet new people;
Good sense of humour.
Professional
Commitment to doing a good job;
Working well with others;
Respects work environment.
Motivated
Willing to get involved in the community;
As interested in learning as in teaching;
Wants to explore Japan.
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