The JET Program:

Some JET web sites: JET 1 | | JET 2 | JET 3 | JET 4

The JET program is a government sponsored program to place language teachers in Japanese government schools to team teach alongside a Japanese teacher. Whilst the EPIK program in Korea and NET program in Hong Kong seem to place importance on age and experience and hire teachers whose age can be 50+, JET seems to concentrate on the university graduate and younger aged educator.

Currently there are approximately 6000 plus JETs in Japanese Junior and Senior High schools. The scheme offers two types of contract, with the majority of applicants being placed as Assistant Language Teachers, whilst the rest are employed as Coordinators for International Relations.

Basic contractual details can be read on the JET Program pages. There are many similarities between the JET and EPIK contract, though salaries are considerably different. Issues of Pension and Tax refund are clearly dealt with. Note this is only a sample contract, and contracts may differ from Province to province.

Certain issues relating to accommodation are frequently raised, both to us and various web sites. The JET site attempts to provide some answers, yet leaves the issue reasonably vague. Nevertheless, the greater majority of reports and posts, both to us, and as seen elsewhere, suggest this to be an excellent program. Please read the correspondence (below) wherein the issue of accommodation is raised by us and responded to by the JET administration.

We contacted the JET administration in early February 2003 to clarify a few points re the Program, and received a response very shortly thereafter, thereby further enhancing the program's professionalism, transparency and integrity.

Future Development:

This government sponsored program is a vast undertaking. The program services its employees with numerous helpful websites, discussion boards and a helpful home page. However, if there are any issues you would like us to address re JET, we welcome your input.

(a) Inside Japan Jet (b) US Embassy information