Youth Exchange: JET Programme
Language class at a local junior-high school
(Tamagawa Junior-high School, Ehime Prefecture)
JET stands for Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. This program is operated through a partnership between the Ministries of Japan* and local governments, and invites young people around the world to provide them opportunities to teach languages, sports, etc., in junior-high and high schools in Japan, and to work in local governments in order to promote international exchange in local communities.
JET youths are offered a chance to have a hands-on experience working in close relations with local communities and residents through schools and municipal bodies in Japan. After returning to their home countries, they play active roles in various fields as a pro-Japan group of a new kind which has a different orientation from formal Japan Studies people. They thereby act as a valuable bridge between Japan and their home countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan recruits and screens applicants through Japanese overseas missions. Additionally, it supports JET alumni organizations to ensure that former JET youths keep in close touch with Japan.
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
JETAA International Convention
(June 2005, Aichi Prefecture)
The JET alumni association is called JETAA (JET Programme Alumni Association). It originated out of the individual alumni associations initiated by former JET youths in their home countries and regions. As of April 2008, JETAA has 49 branches around the world with about 20,000 members. It is a major organization of Japanophiles. Members are engaged in various grassroots activities to promote friendly relationships between Japan and their home countries, and are also involved in activities to help Japanese overseas missions publicize the JET Programme and process applications. Some members are currently working as diplomats in the foreign missions of Japan.
An international convention is held once a year, primarily for JETAA board members and country representatives. It is aimed at building a horizontal network between JETAA branches, across national and regional borders. The first international convention was held in 1995 in New York. The 2005 international convention was held in Kobe City, Aichi Prefecture, and the 2006 convention was held in Sydney.
[Job specifications of JET youths]
Coordinator for International Relations (CIR):
CIRs work at the local government bureaus responsible for international exchange as attendants for overseas guests, translators of multilingual publications, interpreters for events and planners, assistants and advisors for international exchange projects.
Card Game
Kuraki Elementary School, Muikaichi Town, Shimane Prefecture
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT):
ALTs assist Japanese teachers giving foreign language instruction at local elementary, junior-high, high schools, education boards, etc.
English class
Takasaki Junior-high School, Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture
Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA):
SEAs work at local government bureaus responsible for international exchange and assist with sports instruction in order to promote internationalization through sports.
Instructing after-school activity
Shiei Junior-high School, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
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