The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
The JET Program is a project that helps to send overseas youths to Japan as foreign language teachers, coordinators and advisors. It is implemented by Japan’s local governments and authorities and also receives support from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), as well as CLAIR.
Apart from the purpose of improving the level of foreign language education in Japan, the program also aims to heighten mutual understanding between Japan and foreign countries, as well as promote internationalization efforts of the country through further international exchanges at the local-level. There are 3 types of positions offered through the JET Program, namely,
Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) who work for Japanese local governments to promote their international exchange activities;
Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) who provide assistance to local teachers during foreign language classes in elementary, junior and senior high schools;
Sports Exchange Advisors (SEA) who promote international exchanges particularly through the field of sports.
Over the years, youths from the ASEAN region and India have been participating actively in the JET Program. Upon the return to their home countries, many JET participants also continue to contribute towards the program and engage themselves in Japan-related activities through the JET Alumni Association (JETAA).
For more details on the JET Program, please visit: