The JET Programme — Complete Guide
Japan's government-run teaching program is the most prestigious and best-supported route into English teaching in Japan. It's also the most competitive. Here's everything you need to know before applying.
JET at a glance
What the JET Programme actually is
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme is a cultural exchange initiative run by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Education (MEXT). Launched in 1987, it places foreign graduates as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japanese public schools to improve English education and promote international understanding. Over 70,000 participants have gone through the program since its founding.
ALT role: JET participants work as Assistant Language Teachers alongside a Japanese English Teacher (JTE). You are not the primary teacher — you support, model pronunciation, lead activities, and bring native-speaker input to the classroom. Team-teaching is the norm. Solo teaching does occur in some placements but is not the standard expectation.
What JET pays — year by year
JET operates on a fixed government salary scale. Unlike other teaching routes where your salary depends on negotiation or employer generosity, JET salaries are set centrally and predictable across all five years.
| Year | Annual (¥) | Monthly (¥) | Approx monthly (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ¥3,360,000 | ¥280,000 | ~$1,900 |
| Year 2 | ¥3,600,000 | ¥300,000 | ~$2,050 |
| Year 3 | ¥3,900,000 | ¥325,000 | ~$2,200 |
| Year 4 | ¥3,960,000 | ¥330,000 | ~$2,250 |
| Year 5 | ¥4,320,000 | ¥360,000 | ~$2,450 |
✈ Flights included
Round-trip flights from your home country to Japan are covered by the program. Return flights are provided at the end of your placement.
🏥 Health insurance
Enrolled in shakai hoken (national health and pension insurance) — your host institution pays their share. Medical costs are manageable with this coverage.
🏠 Housing varies
Some host institutions provide housing or strong subsidies — especially common in rural placements. Others do not. Confirm your specific placement's housing situation before arrival.
Who can apply to JET
Hard requirements
- Bachelor's degree (any subject, from any accredited university)
- Citizen of an eligible country (check current list at your Embassy)
- Strong command of English
- No prior extended stay or work in Japan (preference given to fresh applicants)
- Under 65 years of age
What strengthens your application
- TEFL/TESOL certification (120 hrs minimum — shows classroom readiness)
- Demonstrable interest in Japanese culture, language, or society
- Basic Japanese language ability
- Experience working with children or young people
- Volunteering, community involvement, or leadership experience
- Living or studying abroad experience
How to apply to JET — timeline and process
Applications open
JET applications open in September/October and close in November. Exact dates vary by country — check your nearest Japanese Embassy for the specific deadline. Applications are submitted online via the JET Programme portal. You will need to submit your degree certificate, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and your passport details.
Check your country's Japanese Embassy for exact datesShortlisting
Applications are reviewed by your Embassy. Successful applicants are invited to interview. Shortlisting typically takes 6–8 weeks after the application deadline.
Interview
Interviews are held at the Japanese Embassy in your country. They typically involve a panel of 2–3 interviewers, last 20–30 minutes, and assess your cultural interest in Japan, your communication skills, your classroom readiness, and your adaptability to rural or unfamiliar placements. Preparation matters — research Japan's education system and practice articulating why you want to teach there.
Prepare specific examples of cultural engagement and classroom scenariosResults and placement notification
Successful applicants are notified in April. Shortly after, you receive your placement information — which prefecture and city you've been assigned to. This is when most participants discover whether they're headed to central Tokyo, a small city, or a rural town. You have very limited ability to request changes.
Placement preference requests are accepted but rarely grantedPre-departure orientation and departure
All incoming JETs attend a mandatory orientation in Tokyo upon arrival. This covers Japanese culture, classroom expectations, and practical life guidance. You then travel to your placement — accompanied by support from your Board of Education or host institution.
Where you might be placed — and what that means
JET placements cover the entire country — urban wards in Tokyo, mid-size cities, and small rural towns in every prefecture. You have limited control over where you go. This is one of the most significant trade-offs of the JET route.
Urban placement
Major cities: Tokyo wards, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka. More teachers compete for these. Higher cost of living but greater social life, nightlife, and international community. Generally harder to secure.
Mid-size city
Cities like Sendai, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Matsuyama. Often the sweet spot — manageable costs, real city infrastructure, strong expat community, and interesting local culture. Many JETs report these as ideal.
Rural placement
Small towns and countryside placements. Lower costs, often with housing provided. Deeply immersive — you may be one of very few foreigners in your area. Isolation can be real, but so can the sense of community and unique Japan experience.
Preference requests: JET does accept placement preference requests on the application form, and you can note medical, family, or accessibility requirements. However, preference requests are granted on a best-effort basis — you may not get your preferred location. Apply to JET only if you are genuinely open to placement anywhere in Japan.
JET pros and cons
Advantages
- Highest starting salary among Japan ALT routes
- Annual salary increases for up to 5 years
- Round-trip flights provided
- Government-backed — strong institutional support
- Highly respected by employers in Japan and internationally
- Genuine cultural immersion — especially in rural placements
- Large, well-networked alumni community
- No TEFL requirement to enter
Disadvantages
- No control over placement location
- Applications only open once per year — long wait
- Highly competitive — not guaranteed even with strong qualifications
- Team-teaching model — limited solo classroom autonomy
- Rural placements can be isolating
- Contract is 1 year at a time — uncertainty for planning
- Housing support varies enormously by placement
Make your JET application stronger
A Level 5 TEFL certification and a year of Asian classroom experience are two of the most effective ways to strengthen a JET application. TEFL Heaven's Thailand program delivers both.
JET Programme questions
Can I choose where I'm placed on JET?
Not directly. The application includes a placement preference section where you can indicate urban vs rural preferences and note any specific requirements (accessibility, medical, family). These are considered but not guaranteed. Many participants receive placements far from their preference. Apply only if you're genuinely open to placement anywhere in Japan.
Can I reapply to JET if I'm rejected?
Yes. There is no limit on reapplications. Many successful JETs applied two or three times before being accepted. Use the gap time to strengthen your application — get TEFL certified, learn more Japanese, gain relevant work or volunteering experience, and refine your personal statement.
Is JET better than going through an eikaiwa directly?
It depends on what you want. JET pays more in Year 1, provides flights, and gives you genuine public school experience — but you lose control over location and the application process is much longer and more competitive. Eikaiwa chains hire year-round, are based in cities, and provide faster access to Japan — but salaries start lower and hours often include evenings and weekends. Neither is universally better.