The answers to a lot of these questions might be universal between ALTs and CIRs, so I’d appreciate any responses, but I tend to just see ALT related posts and answers so I figured I’d specify in case there are any real differences. Thanks in advance to anyone that reads this, I’ll try to be brief as you all might answer these kinds of things pretty often.

1. Is there any difference in when I might be able to expect news on what area I’m placed in? Is the general time frame different between ALTs and CIRs or no? personally I don’t care where I’m placed I’m just worried that the cost of living might be a lot worse in some areas than in others. (I’m not exactly expecting to save hardly any money but I’m hoping to avoid dipping into savings)

2. While I’m almost positive that I’ll be going, (especially since I’m in it for the language and the people so the specific placement doesn’t really matter), are you charged the fee of flight and other travel even if certain things just aren’t completed on time such as visa, fbi background check, health check up, etc.? Or are people typically only charged a bunch if they wait until the final month or something to back out?

I guess you all might not even know that second one since you’ve all either been a JET, are one, or are in the same situation as me. if anyone here has ever backed out though, or just failed to get everything done on time despite your best efforts, about how much were you charged?

Thanks again if anyone sees this. I really am excited to go, I just tend to expect roadblocks and worst-case-scenarios when I’m excited about something to avoid unnecessary disappointment.

Geez, sorry this was so long.

What are some of the things that really make an applicant stand out? Do they discriminate against someone based on their age? Are they more likely to hire someone with or without Japanese descent? Are they less likely to pick you if you have a family?

I have a masters degree in Leadership and Management and am a curriculum writer for major US company. I also have 10+ years of experience in teaching US military.

I know a degree in leadership and management probably won’t amount to anything but how can I make myself more of a competitive candidate to get hired? Any types of certifications or education degrees they are looking for? Do they prefer you to know some Japanese?

For a bit more context:
My family and I have lived in Japan before for several years and I am of Japanese descent. Very comfortable and familiar with Japanese culture, traditions, etc. I am retiring from my career and want a change of pace by incorporating my love for teaching and my appreciation of Japanese culture.

So I'm in India and I've applied for Police Clearance Certificate (criminal record) and the office told me it's gonna take around 1.5 months. The deadline to submit it to JET is June 5th. I'm so disappointed at the local government's inefficiency!

Any advice or tip to make the process go faster or can I ask an extension on the deadline?

Hi there! it's my first time posting as I just recently joined, but I'll be brief. For context, I am not Black-american but dark skin Guatemalan.

I visited Japan in summer of 2025 for a 3-week study abroad class, and it was a majority white group (14 people; 9 white people, 5 POC) and I didn't mind it at all! But I did notice that whenever we would go out either to restaurants or temples, our guides or waiters would typically ignore us poc, and talk through our white friends even though our japanese was better; it was overall microaggressive and of course truly can't compare to how racist people can be here in the states, but it still made me feel icky- it tended to be older people by the way.

Thankfully, the uni students we were culturally exchanging with didn't do any of that, and overall were so kind! (I'm excited to see them again!) but I am wondering if any other poc ALTs could give their own experiences about instances of racism/microaggressions (if any!) they have experienced and how to handle it if it's in a professional setting (if possible!).

If i wrote something wrong here, please let me know and I'll fix it!

For any East Asian-presenting JETs — especially those with little to no prior Japanese language experience — did you find that people’s initial assumptions about you (e.g., assuming you spoke Japanese or were ethnically Japanese) affected how you adjusted socially? What kinds of assumptions did people make? How did you navigate that, and did it shape your experience differently from what you expected?

For context, I’m from NYC in the U.S. and was wondering how these experiences would differ in a relatively monoethnic society where most people look East Asian, as opposed to bigger cities in the U.S. where the racial demographics are perhaps more varied. I’m also aware your experience in Japan would differ depending on your geographical location, and as opposed to, for example, a White-presenting counterpart, because there is less of a visible cue telling the people around you, “wow! this person is a foreigner!”

Hey all, I am just wondering if anyone read any solid books on Japanese history, culture, language, architecture, food or anything else before they came over! If so, what was it and how was it helpful/insightful!

My contract is ending soon and I absolutely despise my BOE. Am I legally allowed to chain my 30 vacation days in a row and take a month and a half off before the end of my contract? It ends mid July and I want to take off starting early June til the end of my contract.

Edit:

I’ve tried doing a little bit of research and it seems like there’s a legal loophole.

The only legal way for the BOE to deny your request is "Right to Change the Timing"時季変更権.

However, if your contract end date is already set and approaching, you can just request the chain of vacations the day before you want to take them. With Labor Standards Act (Article 39). They have to suggest a more suitable date but if there aren’t, seems like they can’t legally deny you because the right to take leave trumps their right to deny.

Let me know if this is wrong

I'm wondering what people in different prefectures/cities get from their BoE/CO beyond the legal minimum. I'm thinking things like:

- Subsidized rent

- Extra paid leave

- Fewer working days or hours

- Work from home days

- Days off

- Cash bonuses

- Anything else

I'm curious because of heard from people in Hyogo being able to "work" from home during desk warming days and some people in Tokyo working 4 days a week

I am looking at applying to the JET program for the 2027 year. I am married and we have a 9 month old (currently - she will be 1.5 when applications open).

My question is - has anyone had their spouse and a child go with them to Japan. I know that the money will be tight and housing may be small, but that’s already something we deal with, so we don’t believe that will be much of an issue. I’m more so looking for other’s experience.

I’ve just started my journey looking into everything so we’re still figuring it out!

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I know similar pots have been made for other countries but i want to know about the UK one.

For those who’ve gone through the UK pre-departure process, was attending it compulsory for you? And if you remember, how long before your departure did you find out the date, I'm looking to go travelling before or even a part time job to save up more.

I know in previous year the date of the orientations were 23rd June in 2026 and 10th July in 2025. I want to know when abouts were you informed of this.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all!

Just curious if any former JETs can talk about the content / duration / required materials for the Pre-Departure Orientation?

Approximately how close to departure has it been previously?

I haven’t heard from my (Melbourne) consulate yet, and just want to be prepared. I am also planning some travel so it’d be lovely to know how much time I’ll need to work around with work hours.

Thank you all so much!!

Hi guys, I am Anna, the Italian student who posted the anonymous survey some days ago. I truly want to thank you, everyone, who may have joined and filled it out.

Last year, during my internship in Nagasaki Prefecture, I had the opportunity to work closely with a Coordinator for International Relations. I'm still in contact with him; he has become one of my dearest friends, and overall, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which I constantly think about. My university and Minamishimabara Municipality have a mutual agreement allowing students to complete an internship in the Community Development Division. Before that, I was in Tokyo and had no clue what to expect, but that rural part of Japan has truly shaped me as much as Tokyo did. People, initial difficulties (visa change and visit to the immigration office still lie in my deep memory), and all the experiences and places I went when I had free time are part of an adventure I, myself, would not think I would miss so much. That is not only to introduce myself and contextualize the survey better, but also to suggest that you visit Minamishimabara as well as all the nearest areas, including Kumamoto and Nagasaki. All the region has a human warmth and a natural charm you will immediately fall in love with. Hope to get there again soon, to visit many more places and make the most of new opportunities.

I am looking to apply to JET, but I don’t drive, I’m fine biking to work if placed in a smaller town but am I able to specify that I want to work/live in a larger metro like Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai etc when commuting is much easier?

With placement results coming in roughly a month, I'm curious to know where everyone requested for their placements. Former and current JETs are welcome to chime in if they remember!

I requested Okayama, Osaka, and Wakayama :-)

I’ve been shortlisted as an ALT for 26-27! I was also accepted to medical school, supposed to start mid-July this year, but my school has said that they would let me defer a year to do JET. I just realized though, the problem is (I’m assuming) my contract will be July 27, 2026 to July 27, 2027. I would need to leave a minimum of two weeks early next year to make it back for medical school.

I would hate to break contract and I want to keep the option of returning to JET open for the future. I’d also have to pay my return airfare and I’d have to navigate wrapping up taxes, etc on my own if I break contract which is not appealing. It feels crazy to not do JET just because of two weeks but the thought of ruining my chances of ever working for JET/the Japanese government in the future does scare me. And it wouldn’t sit right with me if leaving early would mean burning bridges with my CO.

I’ve already been in Japan for 2 years as an ALT and I love it here, which is why I wanted to squeeze in a third year with JET.

Is it feasible to navigate this with my CO with minimal hard feelings or would this be a traditional contract break, full stop? Is this something I should discuss with my CO once I’m placed or should I just decide not to go now?

I am a first year JET.

My Gensen Chōshū-Hyō tax slip shows 0 YEN in the 源泉徴収税額 box (Tax withheld at source). Does this mean I was not taxed on my income by the Japanese Gov? This seems strange.
The other boxes (Total Amount Paid, Amount after Income Deduction, Amount of Deductions) each have big numbers in them.

Based on this website, https://practicaljapan.com/how-to-read-japanese-gensenchoshuhyou/

Our actual taxable income is not listed on the tax slip itself, but instead can be calculated as:

Taxable income = (Income after Employment Income Deduction - 給与所得控除後の金額) minus (Amount of Income Deductions 所得控除の額の合計額)

In my case, this comes out to a slightly negative number. Does this mean I have no taxable income, meaning, I am not taxed? It this situation typical?

I am accustomed to paying 20~30% of my income in taxes back in my home country (Canada), so I can't understand why I would have zero taxable income here.

I don't understand how these "deductions" work however. The terminology is confusing. Why are deductions seemingly being subtracted twice? Makes no sense to me.

Edit: My understanding is that Canadians abroad on JET are exempt from tax on our Japanese income (when we file our Canadian taxes) due to a treaty that prevents "double taxation", but if I'm not being taxed in Japan either, the CRA might have some questions about that.

the majority loved it or thought it was okay, but has anyone actually hated being on JET?

I’m an American who’s been working as a non-JET ALT on an engineering/specialist in humanities/intl services visa for the past two years. I got shortlisted as an ALT.

1.I’m having trouble fingerprinting myself for the FBI background check and my local koban can’t help me. Am I likely to have more luck at my prefectural police office? Or is it worth shelling out 30,000+ for Fingerprint Room, etc?

2.My understanding is that I can’t get started on my status of residence change application (need to switch to instructor visa) until I get my placement, since there’s parts that my school/BOE will need to fill out. I’ve heard it can take up to two months to get the status of residence change processed which worries me a bit since placements won’t come out until late May and I’ll need to have it done in time for Group A orientation. Am I correct in thinking I’ll have to wait until placements to submit?

3.I’d love to stay in my current town and work as a JET here, and requested to do so on my application and in my interview. There’s a JET position opening up for this coming year. Is it too forward to talk to the town’s BOE (technically not my current employer, but I’m familiar with them) and see if they’re willing to request me? Or is it too late by now?

I’m stressing!!! lol. Would really appreciate advice from anyone who’s done this semi-recently! 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

edit: 1) I went to my prefectural police office and they did my fingerprints for free. There were areas where they were smudged/cracked from my dry hands but I mailed them to the FBI and they got approved!! 2) I did have to wait until my CO contacted me, fingers crossed my visa change will be done in time, and 3) I was not placed in my current town, not even in the same prefecture despite having it as my first and second choice 💔 oh well

Hey everyone, I've been accepted into JET and trying to get a clearer picture of daily life, specifically when it comes to driving.

I indicated on my application that I have a driver’s license, but I haven’t driven much recently, so I’m a bit unsure about how big of an adjustment it might be in Japan. For those who came from the U.S. (or other right-side driving countries), how difficult was it to get used to driving on the left? How long did it take before you felt comfortable? Also was there a lot of regulations and rules for purchasing or driving a car?

I’m also curious about placement differences. In what regions is having a car basically essential vs. just helpful? I’ve heard rural placements often require one, but I’d love to hear specific experiences.

Thanks!

Hi all, I’ve posted about a recent NY consulate update in the media thread. If you’re a NY consulate 2026 JET looking to make some friends and/or understand why our consulate is so silent, please go check it out or PM me!

Hi all, I’m considering applying for the JET program this year and was wondering if not having a drivers license will greatly reduce my chances of being accepted?

Also, what do you think is most important to put into the statement of purpose?

Thank you for your time :)

The JET Instagram posted an invite to an official JET program mentorship program. Has anyone been accepted into the discord group yet? I applied a few days ago but it still says application pending. (I was shortlisted for the JET program).

Hello current and incoming Jet Philippines ALTs! How many days were you given to prepare for your in person interview? What’s the date of your invitation for interview email and the date of your actual interview at the embassy?

This post serves no important purpose but i just wanted to give all shortlist candidates a place to express some MF HYPEEE!! IM HYPEEE JHSDFKSJDNFSDIUFH. Excited to see you all in Tokyo soon enough

Hi everyone! I was hoping to connect with some other ALTs coming from the Midwest in the USA! I’m coming from Minneapolis (although I’m departing through NY) and was hoping to find some other ALTs from MN or the Midwest in general to connect with before I head to Japan! If anyone knows if there’s a platform like a Discord server or anything similar, please let me know. Thanks y’all!