Name of the event: Funded exchange program in Japan
Location: Japan
Working language: Russian, English, Japanese
Last Date of Applications: February 29, 2024
Applications Link:
The Embassy of Japan in Russia announces recruitment for the "Program for the development of international relations by inviting the youth of foreign countries" (English name – JET Programme «Japan Exchange and Teaching Program»).
The aim of the "JET Program" is to promote mutual understanding between Japan and other countries by improving the process of teaching foreign languages in Japan and developing international exchange at the local level through youth exchange, which contributes to the internationalization of Japan.
This goal is achieved by providing JET program participants (hereinafter referred to as "Participants") with opportunities to work in local governments, public and private primary, secondary and high schools, etc.
The program has been in existence since 1987 with the cooperation of the governments of the participating countries. Since then, more than 77,000 people from 78 countries have participated in the Program.
Since the Program has gained a significant reputation, participants are invited to Japan as honorary representatives of their countries. Thus, they are expected to be responsible in their activities, especially those related to the promotion of mutual understanding between countries. Therefore, it is desirable that The participants were adaptable, harmonious individuals, had good mental and physical health, and a deep interest in Japan to fulfill their work responsibilities.
As a rule, Participants are appointed by prefectures, municipalities, private schools, etc. as full–time employees for a period of 1 year of participation in the Program (hereinafter referred to as the participation period).
Transportation costs for arrival in Japan, as well as remuneration for work, are financed by Japanese taxpayers through an authorized budget organization, for which a Participant is appointed to work.
Since Participants are government employees and employees of private schools of their host organizations, they are required to follow the rules and behave responsibly. Canceling your participation after making a decision on appointment to the relevant organization or withdrawing from the program during the participation period, etc., can cause great inconvenience to the host organization and seriously complicate the work of the JET Program, therefore, such situations should be avoided.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES:
(1) The candidate must be interested in Japan, have the desire and interest to expand his knowledge after arriving in the country; study and be ready to continue learning the Japanese language; have the desire to participate in international exchange activities that are conducted in the local community.
(2) The candidate must be physically and mentally healthy.
(3) The candidate must be able to adapt to the living and working conditions in Japan*.
(4) Have a bachelor's degree or higher by the scheduled date of arrival in Japan (candidates Alternatively, they can have a certificate of completion of a three-year course for the ALT position. (or above) a course of study that entitles you to teach in elementary or secondary school or to obtain such a qualification before the scheduled date of arrival in Japan).
(5) At the time of submitting the documents, the candidate must be a citizen of the country where the selection is carried out (candidates who are not citizens but have the right to permanent residence in the country are not allowed to participate in the competition). Candidates who have dual citizenship – Japanese and citizenship of another state, must renounce Japanese citizenship before submitting documents for the competition. Candidates who have citizenship of two countries at the same time, excluding Japan, can apply only from ONE of these countries.
(6) The candidate must have sufficient command of the language required by
the terms of the vacancy, approx. 4 (Russian/ English / Japanese – depending on the requirements) language: have excellent pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and voice data, as well as fluency in writing and grammar.
(7) The candidate must not be a participant in this program from 2021 (from
the appointed day of arrival from April 2021), and his total work experience under this program should be less than 6 years.
(8) Persons who participated in the competitive selection in the previous year and passed it, but rejected their candidacy, are not allowed to participate in the program. Exceptions can only be made for candidates who were forced to give up
an internship for reasons beyond their control.
(9) Persons who have lived in Japan for a total of more than 6 years since 2014 are not allowed to participate in the program.
(10) The candidate must be willing to actively carry out an exchange with Japan even after the completion of this program.
(11) A candidate who comes to Japan to participate in this program must reside
in the country in accordance with the conditions stipulated in article 2.2 of the
Immigration Control and Refugee Status Act.
(12) The candidate must be willing to comply with Japanese law.
(13) Candidates who have been sentenced to a suspended prison term may
apply for this program only after its expiration.
*Additional conditions for participants from non-English speaking countries:
(14) The candidate must have sufficient command of English or Japanese for
active use at work.
*In addition to the above in paragraphs 1 to 14, ALT candidates should:
(15) Be interested in the Japanese education system, especially teaching foreign
languages.
(16) Have an interest in working with children.
(17) Be qualified as a language teacher or have a strong motivation to participate in
the process of teaching foreign languages.
* The following items are not included in the list of criteria; however, additional attention will
be paid to candidates who:
(i) Have experience in teaching a language or relevant qualifications.
(ii) Have general teaching experience or qualifications.
(iii) Have a high level of Japanese language proficiency.
*In addition to the above in paragraphs 1 to 14, CIR candidates must:
(18) Have Japanese language skills ( Japanese Language proficiency level N1 or N2 is desirable, see information on the requirements of a specific vacancy).