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Since July 2017, I have been fortunate enough to work in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. The process of getting to Japan started months prior to arrival and the learning curve continues to this day. I have compiled a list of 10 questions I commonly receive about the JET Program and working in Japan, as well as provide my answers. Please note that these answers do not account for every JET participant’s experience, but have been formed from personal experiences.

Q1: What is the application process like?

The application process (from first submission to placement) is spread out over the course of approximately eight months. Applications typically open in the Fall of each year and the process starts by submitting all required documents—personal essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and more. If you pass this phase of the application process, you are offered an interview. I believe I received notice of an interview around January and the interview itself was conducted in February. After that, I waited until April to be notified as to whether or not I had been accepted, and around May or June I received word of my placement in Japan.

Q2: Why did you choose Japan and the JET Program?

Ethnicity-wise, I am half Japanese-American. The community where I grew up has the highest population of people of Japanese descent in the continental United States. Thus, Japanese cultural has more or less been an influential part of my life. I ultimately chose Japan because I had never been to the country, but always felt it was important for me to connect with the country, culture, and people on a deeper level. Additionally, I wanted to gain classroom experience without having to spend time and money earning a teaching credential in the United States. Overall, the JET Program was a great intersection of what I was seeking, and I had a handful of friends and acquaintances who recommended the program based on their personal experiences.

Q3: What are the requirements to apply?

Each country has its own website where eligibility requirements are listed. For the USA, all applicants must be citizens and have a Bachelors Degree, whether in the process of completing and will receive a degree before departing for JET or having graduated before applying. Please find all of the USA eligibility requirements here.

Q4: Are teaching certifications required?

Teaching certifications are not required, but it will make you a stronger applicant if you have any type of certifications (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, etc.). Likewise, teaching experience, classroom experience, or general experience in the education field will be helpful.

Q5: I cannot speak, write, or read Japanese. Can I still apply?

Yes! Although the JET Program encourages applicants to have some knowledge of Japanese culture and language to help adjust to life in Japan, Japanese language skills are technically not required to apply. I had survival-level Japanese skills when I arrived in Japan and my language skills have improved during my time on the JET Program.

Q6: How does placement in Japan work?

On part of the application, you can request to be placed in a specific city, area, or region of Japan and state the reason. Yet, most JETs are seemingly placed at random throughout the country. I requested to be placed in Aichi Prefecture and also stated I preferred a suburban placement compared to something rural or urban. I was placed in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is next to Aichi Prefecture, and in a semi-rural, suburban-ish city. I’m unsure if this was done purposely or if I just got lucky, though.

Q7: Do you receive help with housing?

In my case, I was provided with an apartment that was “passed down” from the JET before me. The apartment is in a local teachers’ housing unit where other JETs and several Japanese teachers live. However, not all JETs are given a place to live upon arrival. Some must find an apartment on their own and/or have minimal help from their schools. It really depends on your situation, but you should have some type of support with housing—the extent of the support is dependent on your placement.

Q8: How much do you get paid?

To my knowledge, majority of current JETs are paid at a salaried rate on a monthly basis. I earned 280,000 JPY a month my first year working for the JET Program. The second year I was given a raise, which is common for most JETs, increasing my monthly income to 300,000 JPY a month. If I opt to stay a third year, I will see an additional pay raise.

Q9: Can you save money while in Japan?

Yes! Before coming to Japan, I achieved a personal goal of paying off all of my debt. Currently, my monthly expenses are quite low because my rent is subsidized due to living in teachers’ housing, I do not need a car to commute to work and get around my city, and I am solely responsible for myself here in Japan. Subsequently, I have the capacity to save a fair amount of my monthly pay or dedicate funds to travel, leisure, and personal expenditures. If you are interested in seeing my monthly budget, I would be more than happy to share that information—just shoot me an email. Alternatively, see some of my budgeting blogs to help you get started on budgeting and saving!

Q10: What is a typical work day like?

Every JET’s situation is different based on their placement. For me, I work at a public senior high school that specializes in vocational and agricultural studies. My work day officially begins at 8:20 am with a morning meeting. Every day, I have an average of three classes I team-teach in conjunction with my Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs). Outside of class, I plan for future lessons, mark papers and work, as well as mark student journals. The work day ends around 4:00 pm or so, in which I am free to leave school and return home. My school does not have an English Club and I am not required to help with other clubs, although many ALTs lead the English Club at their schools or assist with extracurriculars. Work day schedules vary depending on school events or special visits, but my weekly schedule is usually quite consistent.

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There you have it! 10 questions and my personal answers. If you have any further questions or are interested in applying to the JET Program, please feel free to email me at: taytraveleat@gmail.com

I also have been keeping an extensive blog while in Japan. The most recent posts can be found on this website while blogs from July 2017 to April 2018 are located here. Both sites highlight traveling in and out of Japan, daily life, and personal reflections during my time on the JET Program.

Peace & happy travels,

Tay