UK JET Programme

2026/9/11


 

About the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme

Table of Contents

 

Overview

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is an initiative that aims to enrich Japan's foreign language education and promote cultural exchange by inviting young adults from around the world to be employed by local governments and related organisations in Japan. The Programme was established in 1987, with 848 participants from four countries. Since then, the number of participants has increased to over 5,000 participants from more than 50 countries at present. The UK JET Programme has sent more than 11,000 UK graduates to live and work in Japan.

Through the JET Programme, participants are able to immerse themselves in the Japanese community where they are placed so that all may learn about each other's cultures. In addition to learning about Japanese culture, participants are able to deepen their knowledge about their own culture as well as cultures of other participants from different countries. This network amongst JET participants, Japanese communities, and former JETs throughout the world is one of the most valuable benefits of the JET Programme.

The structure of the JET Programme
The JET Programme is administered through the collaboration of Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

Positions
There are three positions available on the JET Programme: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) and Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA).

On average, the UK JET Programme sends over 200 JETs to Japan each year. The UK's SEA position will open for applications as and when the need for a specified sports professional is requested. To read more about the experiences of current and former participants on the JET Programme, click here.

 

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

As an ALT, your role will be to assist Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) rather than to lead classes on your own. However, the exact nature of the ALT position can depend on numerous factors such as the number of schools visited, frequency of visits, and the differing approaches of JTEs. ALTs are employed by a school or Board of Education and often visit more than one school in the area to which they are assigned. No two situations are the same and therefore a flexible attitude is essential.

As Japanese children begin formally studying English during elementary school and continue to do so throughout their time at junior high and senior high school, ALTs may teach students from ages 8 to 18. Some ALTs may even get the opportunity to visit SEN schools or local nursery schools during their time on the programme.

As an ALT, you will play a key role in promoting spoken English both in and outside the classroom. You also serve as a cultural ambassador by introducing students to your background and traditions.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Team-teach, or help with classes taught by Japanese Teachers of English
  • Assist in the preparation of teaching materials
  • Participate in extra-curricular activities with pupils
  • Cooperate in speech contests and local international exchange activities
After JET
ALTs develop a range of skills from their time on the Programme, from speaking and presentation skills to experiences in cross-cultural communication. Notably, ALTs are often highly adaptable thanks to time spent teaching, learning Japanese and working in a different culture.

These transferable skills are highly regarded in many sectors and not just teaching alone. Many former ALTs have gone on to pursue careers in fields including finance, journalism, law, and the civil service. Many also decide to use their experience in Japan to further their studies or work in academia.

 

Coordinator for International Relations (CIR)

Applicants with a high level of written and spoken Japanese (at least JLPT N2 or equivalent) can apply to work as CIRs, assisting in local government offices with international activities at a local level.

CIRs work with their Japanese colleagues to promote and develop exchange activities at a local level. CIRs support translation and interpretation tasks and play a key role in improving services and resources for foreign residents. Through cultural and language workshops, lectures, and community events, CIRs help foster deeper cross-cultural understanding.

Japanese Language Requirements
While a JLPT certificate is not required, CIRs need to be able to use business-level Japanese in a professional setting. Your Japanese ability will be assessed at interview and, should your level of Japanese not meet the requirements for the role, you may be considered for the ALT role instead (please indicate whether you would be happy with this in your application).

  Duties and Responsibilities
  • Receiving guests from abroad
  • Supervising, editing, and translating foreign language publications
  • Interpreting at locally organised international exchange programmes
  • Cooperating and supporting the planning and execution of international exchange programmes, including economic exchange
  • Assisting with the English language instruction of government employees and local residents
  • Planning and implementing a variety of activities in the local community, from spreading awareness of foreign cultures through school visits to planning activities that support foreign residents
After JET
CIRs come back to the UK with stronger Japanese language skills and valuable experiences from their responsibilities in promoting multiculturalism within local government offices and the surrounding community.

Many CIRs decide to undertake further education in Japanese language and culture and enter academia, as well as pursue scholarship programmes and jobs focusing on UK-Japan relations. Others have also branched out into various other industries, such as the financial and government sectors.

 

Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA)

SEAs work for local governments, coaching and promoting internationalisation through the universal language of sport. SEAs are sports professionals whose role is to assist with sports training and the planning of sports-related projects. Participants will engage in internationalisation activities through certain designated sports. SEAs placements are provided by Contracting Organisations in relevant departments or facilities. Please note that SEA positions are rare. Announcement on how to apply will be given when positions are available and may not follow the same timeline as the ALT/CIR applications.

Duties and Responsibilities
SEA duties are carried out by the participant, as specified by their respective supervisor at individual Contracting Organisations. The following is a general outline of duties, though they may vary from one Contracting Organisation to another.
  • Assistance in sports instruction affairs at the Contracting Organisation (e.g. cooperating or advising on planning, designing, and implementing sports projects).
  • Cooperation in sports training for promising local athletes.
  • Cooperation in sports training for Contracting Organisation employees and local residents.
  • Advising and collaborating on sports activities of local private groups or organisations promoting international exchange.
  • Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
Additional Eligibility Criteria
  • Be recommended by the National Olympic Committee (NOC), a government organisation or sports association, etc. as excelling in the instruction of certain designated sports, or be otherwise accepted to have equivalent abilities.
  • Applicants must have either graduated from a vocational college, etc. and obtained coaching certification/qualification, or have at least 3 years of coaching experience in one’s specialised sports field.
  • Be both mentally and physically healthy.
  • Be willing and able to adapt to living and working in Japan, and be determined to responsibly complete the period of participation.
  • Have a functional command of the English or Japanese language.
After JET
SEAs return to the UK with significant coaching experience in another country and culture. The experience of working and living in a country substantially different from one’s home environment is invaluable for an individual’s personal and professional development. SEAs can find further employment within the field of coaching as well as sectors that require their specific knowledge and experience within their specialised sports field.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Though the JET Programme is run globally, each country processes the applications of its own citizens. The following eligibility list covers the most essential requirements for an application to the UK JET Programme and is specific to UK applicants. For further questions concerning eligibility, please view the website’s FAQ section. To apply through the UK JET Programme, all applicants must fulfil the following criteria.

Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom by the application deadline and hold a full UK passport.
Note:
- Those who possess dual citizenship with Japan and the UK must renounce their Japanese citizenship when offered a position on the JET Programme. Applicants who have dual citizenship in two countries (other than Japan) may only apply in one of those countries.
- If you are a permanent resident of the UK (living in the UK but not a UK citizen) you are not eligible to apply for the JET Programme in the UK. Please contact the Embassy of Japan of your home country to find out if the JET Programme or a similar programme is available. This includes EU applicants with 'settled status'.

Education
Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (in any subject) by the designated date prior to departure.

English Ability
Have a native level of English with excellent grammar, written, and spoken skills. 

UK Cultural Knowledge
Have an excellent knowledge of the UK (politics, history, culture etc).

Interest in Japan
  • Be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival.
  • Be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community.
  • Make an effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.
  • Have an interest in maintaining relations with Japan, even after completion of the Programme.
Japanese Language Ability
  • [CIR only] Have a strong, business-level, functional command of the Japanese language (ability equivalent to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N1 or N2. CIR applicants are not required to have passed the actual JLPT N1 or N2 level exam, but should have language ability sufficient to do so.).
  • [ALT and SEA applicants] Be interested in learning the Japanese language, although prior knowledge of Japanese is not a mandatory requirement for the ALT and SEA positions.
Other Criteria
  • Be both mentally and physically fit to work in Japan for a minimum of 1 year.
  • Have the ability to adapt to living and working conditions in Japan, which could be significantly different from those experienced in the applicant’s home country, and be able to responsibly complete the term of appointment.
  • Not have lived in Japan for a total of six (6) or more years in the past ten (10) years prior to the year of departure.
  • Not have declined a position with the JET Programme in the last programme year after receiving notification of placement.
  • (Previous JETs only) Not have participated in the Programme three years prior to the year of departure and not have participated on the Programme for six years or more in total. For the 2027 Programme, applicants should not have participated on the Programme since the 2024 JET Programme year (inclusive of March 2024 Arrivals).
 

Pay and Conditions

All details regarding pay and conditions are outlined within the JET Programme’s General Information Handbook, as well as being given by each participant’s contracting organisation. Please note that contract details can vary depending on the contracting organisation and may be subject to revision in accordance with existing JET guidelines and policy.

Contract
JET Programme participants are employed by municipal or prefectural contracting organisations within Japan and not by the JET Programme itself. Participants are employed on a fixed-term contract for a minimum of one year. This contract may be renewed annually for up to 4 additional years by mutual consent between the participant and their Contraction Organisation. JETs usually work a 35-hour week from Monday to Friday, but occasional work at weekends or on national holidays may be required by the individual contracting organisation.

Salary
New JET Programme participants will receive a pre-tax remuneration of 4.02 million yen in the first year, rising to 4.14 million yen in the second year and 4.26 million yen in the third year. Those who renew their contract for a fourth or fifth appointment will receive an annual remuneration of 4.32 million yen for each year.

Insurance
Payments towards mandatory health insurance and pension fund are, in most cases, deducted automatically from the participant's monthly salary. Additionally, JET participants are covered by the JET Accident Insurance. In the case that a JET participant is injured or becomes ill during the period of coverage, the JET Accident Insurance Policy allows JET participants to claim back medical costs incurred. For further details concerning insurance and other contract terms, please consult the General Information Handbook.

Placement
Participants are placed in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan where positions are available. Candidates can specify up to three placement requests on their application form but should note that there is no guarantee that their placement requests will be met.

Accommodation
In many cases, accommodation for incoming JETs is arranged by the Contracting Organisation prior to their arrival. However, some JETs will be asked to find their own accommodation with help from their contracting organisation. Rent varies depending on the location.
In general, the participant is responsible for rent, commuting expenses, household furniture and appliance purchases, utilities, etc, but this may vary between Contracting Organisations.

Flights
Flights to Japan are arranged and paid for by the Programme. Participants leaving from the UK will be assigned flights by the Programme’s official travel agent.
Please note that due to the number of participants the UK JET Programme is sending each year and the high season travel date, the arranged flights may be indirect with varying baggage allowances and transit times. It is not possible for participants to arrange their own flights or make any changes to the assigned flights however additional luggage can be purchased at participants’ own expense.
Participants’ return airfare to the UK is provided and arranged by the Contracting Organisation, subject to the following conditions:
  • The participant has successfully fulfilled the terms of their contract.
  • The participant does not commence any subsequent employment in Japan within one month of completing their term of appointment.
  • The participant returns to the UK within a month after completing their contract.
Holiday
There are 16 national holidays in Japan and participants are given between 10 and 20 days paid leave depending on the Contracting Organisation. JETs should be aware that they will be expected to work during the school holidays as the school or Contracting Organisation sees fit. Please browse through the FAQ section on Life in Japan for more information.

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