Placement in Japan

PLACEMENT IN JAPAN

The JET Program participants are assigned to placements in all areas of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Most placements are in rural or suburban areas of the country, and only a very limited number of placements are available in urban locations.

NOTIFICATION OF PLACEMENT

The placement process is managed by the Council for Local Authorities in International Relations (CLAIR) and the boards of education or local government offices in Japan. Applicants are notified of program selection in April, and after confirming their intent to become a JET, they will receive notification of their placement in May/June. This decision is final and changing locations is not an option. If a JET participant is unhappy with his/her placement, the only recourse is to withdraw from participation on the JET Program for that year. Please note that this also renders the individual ineligible to reapply the following year. Assigning placements is a time-consuming and intensive process and withdrawal is strongly discouraged as it hampers the functioning of the JET Program for the following year.

PLACEMENT PREFERENCE

JET applicants may indicate up to three placement preferences, however final placements depend on position availability in each prefecture.

HOUSING

In principle, the contracting organization assists the JET Program participant in making arrangements for housing. However, all costs are the responsibility of the applicant. JET Program participants are paid a salary and must pay any costs of living, including rent, out of this salary. JET participants typically live in apartment-style housing, though this may vary by location.