Have you thought about living in Japan for an extended period of time? Many people share this fascination with Japan because they want to enjoy the culture and long history of the Land of the Rising Sun.
However Japan can be a pricey place to stay, and this is a stumbling block that seems to discourage many hopeful people. If a year in Japan or a Japan job assignment is really what you want to do then you need to look into the JET Programme. You might just be on your way to realizing your dream quicker than you think.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme was chartered to increase international exchange between Japan and participants from other nations. The program was intended as a way to promote understanding and friendship between multiple countries. Since its inception in 1987, the JET Programme has expanded quickly. It launched with just 848 participants representing 4 countries, but this year JET programme participants included nearly 5,000 participants from 38 counties. Participants can plan to work in Japan for one year, but can now re-contract to stay in the country for three to five years.
Participants are contracted to teaching, translating or advisory positions and are treated much the same as other workers who are on staff. The Japan jobs that are awarded to these participants are in many different regions and prefectures. They may work with the local governments or they may be stationed to teach at schools and in other educational settings that are found throughout Japan.
The objective is clear: to create ties between the JET participants and the local Japanese citizens, especially young people. This interaction between differing cultures occurs on a one-to-one basis. It is hoped that by working and living together individuals will develop new understanding and interest in people from other societies. Participants who are given a Japan job may be placed in big cities, medium-sized cities, and tiny mountain villages.
Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) tend to work at prefectural government offices and are responsible for international education capacities. Their standard duties include interpreting for government officers, advising and executing international exchanges, instructing foreign languages, and editing and producing brochures in English or Japanese. About 5% of the participants work in the CIR positions.
Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) who are sent to public schools or city boards of education. Assisting to create teaching materials, helping with language activities with the students and helping with classes lead by Japanese Teachers of English. Well over 90% of JET Programme members become Assistant Language Teachers.
Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs) work in local governments whose duties include teaching and exchanging ideas through sports. The function of the Sports Exchange Advisors is to help with training sports players and executing sports projects.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to each participating country’s Japanese Embassy, executes the interviewing and hiring process for selecting the participants. The process for Sports Exchange Advisors is set up slightly differently. These applicants have to be recommended by their country’s National Olympic Committee or by a different national sports organization. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) manages the JET Programme and organizes several local government organizations. These organizations may include the MFA; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; and MEXT.
JETs work with Japanese from more than 1,100 local communities that are located around the entire country. The assignments can range from a modern metropolitan city to remote farming and mountain villages. JET Programme participants share their own ideas and backgrounds with the locals and at the same time they learn a great deal about the society and character of the Japanese people. The diverse backgrounds of each JET Programme participant make it likely that their personal experiences in Japan are interesting and rewarding.
An extensive support network is in place to help the participants of the JET Programme with difficulties they may have. This sometimes includes such problems as introducing these individuals English-speaking doctors or having an advisor give them a hand in taking care of any unintentional misunderstandings. There are also advisors available to help participants deal with the culture shock that they are likely to feel.
Since it’s beginning the JET Programme has employed in excess of 50,000 participants. The JET Alumni Association (JETAA), an independent organization, already has more than 20,000 members located in 16 countries, and has more than 50 branches.