Applications are now open for the 2027 Government of Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is administered through the collaboration of Japan’s local government authorities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).
Aiming primarily to promote grassroots internationalisation at the local level, the JET Programme invites young university graduates from around the world to participate in internationalisation initiatives and be involved in foreign language education at Japan’s local government offices, boards of education, elementary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools. The JET Programme has received high acclaim both domestically and overseas for being one of the world’s largest international exchange programmes.
The JET Programme has grown significantly since its start in 1987, with the number of participating countries in the JET Programme growing from four to 54, and the number of participants from 848 to 5,993 as of 2025. More than 80,000 people from 82 countries have participated in the JET Programme through its years.
Position and Duties
Participants engaged in language instruction. ALTs are placed mainly in local boards of education, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.
Participants are to carry out their duties as ALTs under the guidance of language teachers’ consultants or Japanese teachers of the foreign language as specified by the supervisor and/or principal of the board of education and/or school. The following is a general outline of duties, though they may vary from one Contracting Organisation to another.
(1) Assistance in foreign language classes, etc. taught in elementary, junior high and senior high schools.
(2) Assistance in foreign language activities, etc. in elementary schools.
(3) Assistance in preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language.
(4) Assistance in language training for teachers of a foreign language, etc.
(5) Cooperation in extracurricular activities and club activities.
(6) Provision of information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers’ consultants and foreign language teachers (e.g. word usage, pronunciation, etc.).
(7) Cooperation in foreign language speech contests.
(8) Cooperation in local international exchange activities.
(9) Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor or the school principal.
Eligibility Requirements
As part of the general criteria, applicants must:
1. 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; and make an effort to start or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.
2. Be both mentally and physically healthy.
3. Be willing and able to adapt to living and working in Japan and be determined to responsibly complete their period of participation.
4. Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher by the designated arrival date (applicants for the ALT position may alternatively hold a certification of completion of a 3 (or more) year course to teach at primary/elementary or secondary schools or obtain said qualification(s) by the designated
arrival date).
5. Be a national (not just a permanent resident) of the country where the recruitment and selection procedures take place by the time they submit their application form. Furthermore, those who possess Japanese nationality must have submitted their applications to renounce their
Japanese nationality by the Reply Form submission deadline.
Remuneration
Remuneration per annum is approximately ¥4,020,000 in the first year, ¥4,140,000 in the second year, and ¥4,260,000 in the third year. The above sums apply to participants who have worked for one full year.
If a participant’s period of participation in the Programme is less than one year, the remuneration amount will be prorated accordingly
Method of Application
For More Information,
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026.
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