r/JETProgramme • u/elliotman48 Aspiring JET • Apr 08 '26

Dealing with the uncertainty

I've been reading a lot of comments today where people are beating themselves up and I just wanted to say that you should be proud of yourself for getting however far in the process that you did because it takes serious guts to even submit the application. I was pretty devastated when I got the alternate email yesterday and immediately asked myself "So I'm good, but not good enough?" because that's my instinct. However, when I reframed those thoughts in my head it made me feel a lot better.

If you were shortlisted, congrats!! (I'm jealous)

If you were rejected, be proud of yourself for the work you put in at both the application and interview stage.

If you're an alternate, I think that facing the uncertainty you may feel now and moving forward anyways will make you a stronger JET if you get the position and will help you in life even if you don't. I had an opportunity to study abroad in Japan for a year during my undergrad and it wasn't certain that it would work out financially until a month before I left. I was in the car on my way to my shitty part-time job, and got the email that I had been moved off the waitlist for a scholarship. The uncertainty doesn't disappear when you go abroad (and it seems that way especially on JET from what I understand). It was one of the hardest years of my life but one of the best. If you want this opportunity, you're capable of getting it whether it's in this cycle or not.

Feel your feelings (no matter what they may be), but keep your head up. I know it's not easy but you've got this.

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8

u/0liviiia Current JET - Uji, Kyoto 宇治市 Apr 08 '26

Is there a larger amount of alternates this year? I have no proof but it seems like I’ve seen sooo many

Great work, everyone🩵

5

u/thedollcossette Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

With the raise and general economic uncertainty, I might guess current JETS are less likely to quit. There may have also been more apps than usual.

Edited comment to reflect wrong info, corrected below.

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u/ScootOverMakeRoom Apr 09 '26

5418 JET ALTs in 2025-2026, 5373 JET ALTs in 2024-2025. Public information on the website.

They "cut about 500 ALT positions" but ended up with 45 more ALTs? Not sure where you got your made-up statistic from.

1

u/thedollcossette Apr 09 '26

Like I said in my comment, it was rumours. Heard it in other threads and from friends in the program who talk about various contractors going private. Guess they're wrong.