Every year, hundreds of people from across the world pack up and move to Japan to experience a completely new way of life. In 2017, I was one of them. I had been accepted onto the prestigious Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, one of the world’s largest international exchange programmes, that sees hundreds of English-speaking individuals from across the world come to live and work throughout Japan.
Like thousands before me, I was to work in Japanese schools and help support English language learning (though my situation was a tad unusual; more on that later). It’s an extremely prestigious position that thousands of people covet each year, but the competition is high and the application process rigorous. I know this, not only because I went through it myself, but because in 2021, having finished my time on JET and living back in the UK, I became a member of the application team for the UK JET Programme.
Having been through the process from both sides, I’ve seen what it takes to be accepted into the JET Programme, and just how competitive it really is. Before we dive into how to apply, though, let’s take a quick look at the history of the JET Programme and what it really is.
The JET programme’s illustrious history
The JET Programme began in 1987, when two existing programmes, the Monbusho English Fellows Program and the British English Teachers Scheme, merged. That year, 848 participants from four countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, arrived in Japan. 813 came as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) to serve at public schools, and the other 35 came as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs).
The following year, Canada and Ireland were added to the list of countries invited to join the programme, and the number jumped to 1,443 participants. Year on year, more countries were added, and the number of ALTs and CIRs rose with them. In 1994, a new position was also added, that of Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs) who assist with sports-related projects and training. This year, 5,933 participants from 54 countries will have made that same journey, leaving behind their former lives to embrace the culture of Japan.
The purpose of the JET Programme is not simply to help teach Japanese students English, but to create true cultural exchange between the people of Japan and those coming across. The programme and its goals are strongly supported by the Japanese government, with notable support from 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).
This support makes the JET Programme the most official and secure English language exchange programme in Japan. It ensures the smooth running of the programme and provides those on JET with much more stability and a higher wage than those working for other English language companies.
How I became a JET
I first heard about the JET Programme while visiting Japan in 2015. A friend of mine was on a study exchange in Kobe, and I decided to visit her and see Japan for myself. As with many who visit Japan, I was blown away by the country, telling my friend after only one week, “I can really see myself living here.” In a conversation that would go on to change and shape my life forever, she brought up the JET Programme as a potential way for me to do just that.
At that time, I was only in my second year of university, and even had plans to continue studying after graduating by going to drama school. But life had other plans, and after not making the final selection at the drama school I wanted to attend (which I ended up studying at later on in life) and not having a clue what to do, I decided to really look into the JET Programme my friend had brought up a year prior, and decided that this was going to be my next step.
Now, applications for the JET Programme take a lot of time and cost a certain amount of money to put together. They are not something you do on a whim, and you have to consider them a bit of an investment, both in terms of time and money. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so I had to pace myself.
Step 1: The application (late October / early November)
The first step of the application process begins in late Oct./early Nov. In most countries, including my home country of the UK, applications run through the Japanese embassies or consulates. You need to check your country’s deadline on its Japanese embassy website. (You also need to check that you are eligible).
Every country runs its own application process, so you need to go through that specific process for your own country.
In the UK, I needed to provide a certificate that proved I had obtained a Bachelor’s degree. If you are in your final year, you need a transcript that proves you will graduate before the JET Programme begins. If you have a Master’s or PhD, you also need to prove those through a certificate.
I then had to provide references from legitimate sources. In my case, I chose my professors, who could attest to my work ethic, genuine dedication to learning about Japanese culture, and my overall behavior and personality. I suggest choosing people who know you well in a professional setting, especially those who understand your goal and can attest to your dedication in education and your love of Japan.
For myself, and when I assisted in the intake for 2022, there was also a written application form: a Statement of Purpose. This is a chance to sell yourself and prove why you would make a great JET candidate. There will likely be three questions that you are encouraged to answer. Please, PLEASE, read all three and answer all three. You would not believe the number of applications I read that ignored one of the questions, thus lowering their chances of being accepted.
Try to think about how to express yourself along the lines of “Why Japan?” “Why education?” and “Why me?” How can you show that you are a strong candidate? What is your relationship with Japan? Have you visited the country? Made an effort to immerse yourself in the culture? Studied Japanese? It’s the same for education. Have you been in a position of educating or leading people, especially children? What makes you a good educator? How do you plan to approach the role?
More so than flowery language, give examples of why you are the most suited candidate for the role. Although some of the applications I read were very humorous and many truly heartfelt, I could only recommend people whom I saw really put effort into thinking about how they would adapt to the role and the country.
Step 2: The interview (January / February)
After handing it in, I had to wait just over two months before finding out if I had moved on to the next step: the interview. Interviews usually take place between January and February. If there are days you know you are not available during that time, you need to let them know when responding to their email.
For my interview, I had to head to the Japanese embassy in London. At that time, I had short silver hair with a black undercut, and I wore a smart but fashion-forward outfit. I had looked up what might be asked of me, and the internet threw up a tonne of information as to what I might be subjected to. Some said I could be asked to sing a song (perhaps for elementary school classes), while some said they give you on-the-spot scenarios to play out.
In my case, I was asked what it was I felt I could bring from the UK to Japan; what cultural exchange could I offer. I responded that, something I love about the UK, is that we have a history of artistic rebellion. I pointed out my favorite influences, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen (my degree is in fashion), and how artistic expression can be used to make a statement. I wanted to help the students explore this kind of thinking and develop curiosity for artistic expression and the purposes behind it.
Whether or not they liked that particular answer, I don’t know, but a few months later I got a phone call saying I had been waitlisted for a position. I was on the edge of my seat wondering if I was going to get one. Were they waiting to see if another person would turn their own spot down? Did my future depend on someone having changed their mind?
Another week or so went by when I was informed I had a phone call at work. I had made the cut. They had found me a place and asked if I wanted to take it. I accepted.
Step 3: Health check (May / June)
The next step was submitting health reports, which meant paying a doctor to run some tests, get an X-ray of my lungs (to screen for TB), and basically give me an overall bill of health. In the UK, this goes beyond the scope of normal care, so I had to pay for this. This should be done as soon as possible. Don’t wait till the last minute, as the doctor could take some time if they are busy.
Step 4: Placement and preparation (June / July)
A few weeks after this, I was sent a large envelope containing more of the specifics of my placement. This was when I discovered I was going to be living in Kanagawa Prefecture, and I was allowed to contact my Japanese supervisor to start the process of preparing for my arrival.
I learned more about where I was going to live and was put in touch with the JET whose role I would be taking over. During this time, I started to piece together a little of what my life was going to look like in a few months’ time.
I also joined some more local JET events organised by JET alumni living in the area. It was an opportunity to meet others from my region who had been accepted and to build some bonds with people who were going through the same thing I was. It was also great to hear from alumni as to their experiences, and I believe this was the first place I heard the term ESID: “every situation is different,” the mantra of JET.
Step 5: Pre-departure orientation (June / July)
We then had a pre-departure orientation in London, with all the outgoing UK JETs meeting to go over some of the basics before arriving in Japan. I joined a beginner-level Japanese class, and listened to panel discussions on various topics, from safety tips to education tips. They ran a Q&A, and I once again got to meet fellow JETs who were also as excited as I was for the new adventure we were all about to embark on.
My greatest advice here is: do your best to make friends. Stay in touch. Making friends in Japan is extremely difficult, and having people you can talk with and relate to, even if they live so far away, can be enormously helpful. In fact, my first Christmas in Japan was spent with the people I had made friends with at these pre-departure events. We all banded together in a log cabin in the Japanese Alps having a great time, which helped me massively with not feeling like I was missing out on Christmas with my family.
Step 6: Departure day (July / August)
The final step, the one I’d been waiting for almost a year: departure day. With upwards of 200 applicants from different corners of the country, not everyone can fly in the same plane on the same date, so outgoing JETs are flown out in groups over the course of a few days from different airports.
I flew from Heathrow where I met with a JET representative and the rest of the group. We were all herded through and taken on board. We landed in Tokyo late at night on July 31st, and immediately after dropping off our luggage (only hand-packed stuff; bigger luggage was being forwarded to our final destination), we went to Shinjuku for food.
I can’t tell you how immensely tired and alive I felt at the same time. I had finally made it. I was now a resident of Japan.
In summation
The JET Programme application is a long and competitive process, one that tries its hardest to ensure that the people it is selecting are the best suited to not only fulfill the role they are applying for, but also to best represent their country.
The programme is a tremendous soft power within the country, and creates vital bridges between Japan and the English-speaking world. JETs go on to work in foreign offices, become ambassadors, found businesses that support Japan trade, become professors and lecturers, or, in my case, become journalists who write about Japan and Japanese culture in publications read by an English audience. So it has a right to be picky.
When I was reviewing applications in 2021/2, there were over 2,000 applications (if not more). The final total that was eventually selected was just over 200. While you should give the application your all, be sure to look at other opportunities, whether that be in your country or in Japan. There are other ways to work and live in Japan besides the JET Programme, so make sure that you aren’t fully relying on the JET Programme to fulfill your Japan dreams.
Give it your all, and good luck!