I have multiple sclerosis. I haven't had any symptoms for years because I've done really well on medication. I still do everything I did before I was diagnosed with no problem, I just have to go to the doctor a bit more often now for checkups.

However, I contacted a doctor who works in Tokyo and they said I would have to be rediagnosed in order to receive my prescription in Japan and that I would also need to live close enough to a specialist who can monitor my condition. MS is much less common in Japan and there are fewer resources there for MS patients, so I'm a bit apprehensive. Not knowing how long it would take to get rediagnosed also makes me nervous.

I also worry about how this will affect the application process. Right off the bat they'll see that I need very specialized care and how I can't just be placed anywhere in the country because being away from an MS specialist would be a serious risk to my health. Sometimes I wonder if I should just give up all together.

Could anyone offer any advice/reassurance?

I know interview decisions haven't even come out but given how little the turn around time from getting invited to to an interview and the actual interview our I feel like it's in my best interest to prepare regardless. But the preparation itself is driving me up a wall. I try to study every single question ever asked in a JET program, think of counters to their counters, know the SoP like the back of my hand and thought of as many questions that my SoP might raise as possible and yet I feel like I'm not doing enough.

Knowing that I only have 30 minutes (if I even get an interview) to prove myself or wait another year is daunting to say the least. JET is all I think about as soon as I wake up to right before I fall asleep...which I know might be a red flag and disqualifying in and of itself.

Does anyone have advice? I didn't even feel this stressed during college applications, though those didn't have an interview. I also used to work in tech and I always nailed the behavioral aspects (though those were probably "lightweight" behavioral questions compared to other interviews) but I don't know if I can take comfort in that fact at all.

Was anyone in a similar situation? How did you manage to function day to day while also being as prepared as possible to nail the interview?

Hey, I have a few questions about the JET program. I just wanted to know if I could continue the teaching position in Japan after the 5 year JET program. I also wanted know if a German teaching license would be valid in Japan, or if I could continue the teaching (or assistance) Job without it. I would base this on how much I enjoyed my time, of course., but I just think it’s best have plans for the future.

Could I also get a general (non-teaching) job, or would this require a different Visa? I wouldn’t mind working regular jobs, it doesn’t necessarily have to be teaching. I also know that proper Japanese is a requirement, but I’ve been studying it for a while now, and will continue to do so for the next years until I’ve finished my bachelor.

Also, on the official JET site, it says the designated language would be German if I’m Germany, will that mean I’ll teach German instead of English? I actually grew up in South Africa, so my mother tongue would be English rather than German.. Can I choose the language, or am I understanding the “designated language” thing wrong?

Sorry for the many questions, I’d be grateful for any help though

Hi,

I'm considering applying to the JET Program as an ALT if any positions open for French applicants for 2025 (apparently, there were no ALT positions for French applicants in 2024).

It seems there are only about 20 JET positions available for French applicants (according to the 2024 statistics on the official website), so I understand that, being from France, my chances of getting accepted are quite low.

Let’s assume I do get accepted. I know the chances of getting your first placement choice are extremely slim, and that most participants end up in rather rural areas. However, I’m married to a Japanese national (same-sex partner, married in France). My partner currently lives in France with me but is considering moving back to Tokyo, where he’s from, next year.

Naturally, I would prefer to be placed close to him—ideally somewhere within the 23 wards of Tokyo. How likely is it that mentioning my spouse lives in Tokyo would increase my chances of being placed there as well?

I understand they won’t create a position in Tokyo just because one applicant has a spouse living there, but the program does mention trying to place applicants near their spouses.

How does that process work exactly? Is there a set number of positions within Tokyo? Do they review the list of applicants who select Tokyo as their first choice and prioritize those with spouses living there? Would I need to provide proof that my spouse lives in Tokyo and that he's unable to relocate elsewhere in Japan?

Also, are there official statistics on the number of positions available per city or prefecture? Additionally, do certain nationalities tend to be assigned to certain areas? Are placements for all applicants worldwide announced at the same time?

If this matters, I think I meet all the criteria for the JET program. My Japanese proficiency is fluent, and I have already lived in Tokyo for 3 years (2018-2021).

Applications in France seem to open in late January, so I’ll likely get more answers then, but I’d appreciate any information that could help me feel more confident—or cautious—about my decision to apply to the program.

Thanks in advance!

I’ve got my application submitted. As a way to help ease the waiting, I wanted to ask what kind of outfits you wear to work? If it’s more business casual, what kind of pieces do you use?

I am a guy, but as help to others I want to get ideas from both sides. Let’s make it a thread (pun intended)!

For people who have done JET before, how does the schedule usually go with vacations and time off? Does it differ for people placed in elementary schools vs high schools? Is there any chance or good amount of time to travel somewhere or take holidays (if obviously expenses allow it)?

Not recommend. They could send it to other randoms who copy chunks of it on their SOP.

I had gotten a message from the JET program to revise one of my forms and to email them the revised form by December 1st. I revised and emailed them the form a couple days ago. Will they email to say that they received the form? I'm just getting a little anxious cuz I don't want to have screwed up my chance to get into the program 🥲

Basically the title. When you run out of sick leave (our BOE has 5) I assumed you took unpaid leave because that’s what other people I know have done. My supervisor says we don’t do that. Do y’all have this issue?

Title:

Hi everyone,

I’m currently applying for the JET Program and am a bit concerned about my references. I have one solid letter from my professor, but for the second reference, I’m unsure who to approach. I do have a close friend in Japan who knows me well and can vouch for my character and interest in Japanese culture, but she isn’t my teacher, supervisor, or in a professional role related to me. Would a personal reference like this be acceptable?

For context, I don’t have a lot of work experience, so my pool of professional connections is quite small. I’d love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has advice on how to handle references.

Thanks in advance! 😊

I’ve heard a lot of mixed answers to if teaching experience is needed or if it affects your chances of being accepted. I currently have no experience so I was looking at some volunteering or classes I could do before JET. Luckily, I got accepted into a volunteering program to tutor migrants in English which starts in February. The problem with that is it’s generally a 6 month program but I submitted my JET application checking that I will be available for the early escort which is between April and July I believe. If in any case I get accepted and escorted early I probably will have to cut the volunteering short and maybe only have time to do the training program and tutor for around a month or two. That won’t be enough experience and I’m not sure if I can even use that as experience in my interview. Will this affect my chances of getting in?

Edit: I’m applying from Australia, so I’m not sure if it’s common to have experience when applying from here or not!

just trying to do some future planning, does anyone know what the return date is if you did not renew your contract?

I made the mistake of sharing my SOP with a few people in hopes of getting some constructive feedback'

Now I've come to realize that one of the people I shared it with has copied it like for like!

I'm not sure what I can do because I have submitted my application already and so has the other person' Obviously this person has broken my trust, it feels like my work has been stolen - I dont want it to come across that I copied the other person when I was the one who wrote the original

Please can anyone give me any advice or guidance of what I should do?

Will this be picked up by the people who read the applications?

Thank you for any advice

Filipino ALT applicant here for the 2025 JET Programme.

I have been wanting to apply since 2018 and finally had the courage and time to execute my plan. I submitted the necessary documents for next year's batch last month. I sent out all the forms via courier (Lalamove), so I do not have any confirmation that the embassy received them other than the message from Kuya Rider that he gave my documents to the security guards stationed at the gate during that time.

My other paranoia (lol) is the fact that despite having teaching experience with both high school and college students, I submitted my documents without any Japanese language proficiency certification. Although this is considered a supplemental document (based on their website), I still can't help but feel that this could be a weak aspect of my application. I did not have time to enroll in or apply to proficiency centers since I'm a DINK and still working on weekends. Haha.

Anyways, waiting always tricks someone's mind. Regardless of the results next year, I am beyond grateful to finally have the courage to apply. 🤍

Hey everyone, as the title suggests, I just received an email to be upgraded from alternate to short-list. However, I am already on another teaching contract in SK and no way am I cutting my contract short and burn the bridges of my current schools, especially as I will need their references down the road. So I am going to turn it down.

As far as I understand, if I turn down my offer, it does not jeporadize my chances with this upcoming application for interviews and possible job offer come April/May, correct? I believe that was the case but my friends who I informed are concerned for me and that I may lose this "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", so hence I am seeking advice from the Great Reddit to see if I am right or wrong. Thanks!

Hi gang. As we all can tell it is getting cold and the holidays are upon us. I am going blank on what I should do in Japan. I do want to stay home and chill, but I do not want to rot away. For the JETs in Japan now what are you're plans. Perhaps this will give me some inspiration to do something. Are you going home for the holidays? Family coming? Partying? Rotting?

How are we doing from this group? Is anyone still around?

If you're newer here, you probably won't know we were the "covid cohort" and so many of us never made it out to Japan. I for one put my entire life on hold for two years while I waited, forever being told "you'll gl out next month, promise!"

Anyone else around from then? Did you get out there in the end, or give up like me?

One upside, I met my partner through the Facebook group and we're getting married next year!

I got upgraded a few weeks back, a representative from the embassy called to offer me a position & I accepted it. They said they’d be in contact soon confirming my appointment around early December but I’m nervous I still might not get the position or that they’ll change their mind and I’ll get waitlisted or rejected but maybe I’m just in my head. What do you guys think?

I applied as a CIR and was hoping to get some insight into what rhe interview is like, and maybe the differences between the CIR and ALT interviews. I have looked up some information already, but the content related to being a CIR is so limited compared to that of being an ALT. A lot of CIR material I found talked about the general experience. I appreciate any insight!

Any chance I’ll be replacing one of you? There are no details currently about where I’ll be going so

I’m an ESL teacher who applied, I thought this would be in line with my future career goals. One thing I’m most worried about is my lack of Japanese. I saw a lot of stories on here of new ALTs being left on their own and being really overwhelmed/stressed without Japanese speaking ability. Would it be worth it to start investing in learning the language now even before the interviews and decisions? I know I won’t be able to learn much in less than a year, but I’d love to hear others’ perspectives. There’s some irl beginner classes in my area and I was wondering if I should just risk it and spend the money to enroll, or wait until after the decisions are actually made? Thank you!

Have any past or current JETs had their interview at the Edinburgh Consulate General? If not the London embassy also works, just curious if anyone has any advice or information on what to expect. I know one person in real life who had been interviewed in London but that was way back in the 90s lol.

People who were given an interview and knew at least intermediate Japanese, what kind of questions were you given in the interview? My time studying Japanese in High School/Uni was a huge part of my application/SOP & I marked intermediate speaking skills, but I will admit I’m a little rusty & want to take this time to prepare for a possible interview.

I'm a 4th year JET and my visa status changed from Instructor to Spousal this year, so I was wondering if the 就労制限なし indicator takes precedence over something in our contract that doesn't allow us to take side income. I also am just generally ignorant regarding what the actual literature says about that discrepency if any

I'm wondering how JET is perceived to Japanese employers. I currently work in IT Infrastructure (Not Software Development) and want to take a chance on teaching but if I don't like the job, but love Japan then I'll definitely start looking for positions within my current profession. What kind of experiences do you guys have going to back into your fields after time out of it, in JET? Sorry if this worded odd, I am not sure exactly how to ask. Thanks for any help.

I submitted my application a few days before the deadline, I'm just wondering if considering how competitive JET is, people who submit their application weeks before the deadline might have a higher chance at getting an interview?

I’m from Germany (M21) and have a bachelor degree. But i just saw that German ALTs have been discontinued since 2022, I don’t speak Japanese for CIR and I’m not a sports guy. So does this mean I’m out from the get go? Aren’t there any ways to get into the program with my background? I speak average English but that’s about it.

I’m kinda jealous when I see all my American friends having a go as ALT and not being able to take part.

I know interviews aren't even out yet and I don't have any expectations of getting in so I want to start building myself up to apply and hopefully get in next year, but I'd love to hear what you did differently the year you got in compared to the year(s) you didn't. both in terms of the application and especially in terms of the interview. Thanks!

Like a lot of people lots of my media time is spent consuming japanese material and I'm worried some of my interview questions might be like "give us examples of the best books or movies you would talk about to kids" and I'm worried I wouldn't be able to answer this.

Would it be in my benefit to read like 5 books and watch 10 movies before the interview? Or am I over thinking things?

Should I mention about the condition at all?