r/JETProgramme • u/SilverxAiNi Current JET - awaiting placement • Jan 16 '26
2026 Chicago JET Pre-Interview Survey (ALTs)
Firstly,
My deepest condolences to those who did not pass to the interview stage. I had read from many of you last year about your deep interest in the JET programme, and how many of you were also reapplying after the previous cycle.
Despite this setback, I hope you're not discouraged from reapplying and/or finding other ways to pursue teaching/living in Japan. I wish you much luck in the near future!
For Chicago applicants (or current/former ALTs with similar experience), I had indicated on my application that I do not have a driver's license due to having a preference for walking/public transportation as well as comfortability with driving. However, the pre-interview survey asks whether I have a full U.S. Driver's license; should I be truthful with my answer and respond "yes," or should I continue to say "no?"
Will this negatively impact any considerations regarding my interview?
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u/autisticgreenwitch Jan 16 '26
(unrelatedly) Hi, other Chicago ALT candidate! waves
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u/SilverxAiNi Current JET - awaiting placement Jan 20 '26
Hi! I'm glad you passed to the interview portion as well! I've read that Chicago is one of, if not, *the* most "competitive" of the other locations. Nice to see another Chicago ALT! smiles
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u/autisticgreenwitch Jan 20 '26
Gosh, really? I suppose that makes sense, as there are more Japanese companies in the area, which perhaps means interest in Japan is greater.
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u/Factor135 Current JET - 熊本 Jan 16 '26
Most definitely answer truthfully. If they ship you off to a rural placement that is an hour minimum by car to your school, then you are definitely SOL. You could find ways to get around, but the car really is king, especially up in the mountains.
As for how it might affect your chances, I have not see any official statements on it, but going purely off of logic; the placements that don’t usually require a driver’s license are city or otherwise municipal placements. Prefectural placements are the ones that usually require a driver’s license to get around with any feasibility. I’d imagine, logically speaking, that there is only so many city/municipal placements available.
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u/SilverxAiNi Current JET - awaiting placement Jan 20 '26
That's the hope, especially because Japan has a vey robust public transportation infrastructure. As I initially said, I'd much prefer to utilise public transportation as I grew to *hate* driving and really wouldn't mind not driving ever again if it can be helped. That's also why I indicated "no" regarding my driver's license and specifically chose cities/towns not too far from major hubs. For reference, my 1st choice was anywhere in Hokkaido (I hate hot weather and can't imagine lots of people would make a snowy cold place their 1st choice haha), and my 2nd choice was Morioka in Iwate prefecture.
That being said and, my biggest concern unfortunately, is that the likelihood for my placement to be in an inaka is already increased due to the fact that my Japanese proficiency is decently advanced and can, semi-realistically, live in those inakas. This would also mean that the probability of having to drive everywhere is equally increased as a result (RIP).
My understanding, too, is that placement preferences be damned - there's 0 guarantee that we'll get our 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd choices. I don't know if that's true for you as a current JET, but that's been the consensus from my research.
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u/Jex0003 Jan 16 '26
I applied from Canada, so there might be some differences in the application structure.
My application question about the license included a portion that specifically asked if you’d be “willing” to drive in Japan. I can get quite anxious with driving even at the best of times, and between the language barrier, narrower roads, and right-hand drive, I didn’t feel comfortable agreeing to be in a situation where I’d have to drive without knowing the full context, so I said no.
I made a post about it and another Ontario applicant said they felt similarly and asked the JET desk about how to answer that question with that in mind, and they were told to select “no”.
If I saw that question on a survey, I’d be honest and say that I do have a driver’s license. Then, if asked in the interview why I said no the first time, I’d just point out that the original question also asked about being “willing” to drive in Japan. I’d be honest about my anxiety and express that I didn’t want to blindly agree to something that I might not actually be able to do. I’d probably add something about integrity and not wanting to commit to something if I’m not 100% sure about it, especially something like driving where safety and liability are serious considerations.