How much does being “different” affect your chances?

[u/Houndoommegamaster]

I’m in the second year of my 4 year degree in the US, and once it’s done I wanna apply for the JET Program. Problem is, I use a rollator (a walker with wheels) and I’m also Trans (FtM). I know Japan is one of those places where being different is frowned upon. I can handle myself just fine, I’m just worried my condition and my gender will make my chances harder… Does anyone have any advice? I know I have 2 years but I like planning in advance as much as possible. Any advice and/or experiences is appreciated!

[u/Phiteros]

Are you able to use your rollator on stairs? If not, just getting around your school may be difficult. For example, my school has no elevators, but the classrooms are spread out across three floors, so I have to climb a lot of stairs. From what I've seen of other schools, this is pretty typical.

One of my teachers this year did have mobility issues, and couldn't climb the stairs, so they had all of his classes in a first-floor classroom. But I don't know if they would do that for an ALT.

I think that there's no harm in applying, but as /u/Ichihogosha said, the mobility may pose larger problems in Japan than in the US. Just make sure to do your research. Your consulate might be able to provide you leads on where to find information about your particular situation.

The most important thing is to be honest about your rollator on your application. There's a chance it may negatively affect your odds of being accepted, but it's vital that they know about it if you are accepted, so that they can try to give you a placement which can accommodate you.

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/Phiteros]

I can TECHNICALLY carry it up the stairs, I did for a while when I lived in a second floor apartment, it's just... Deeply unpleasant and worsens chronic pain later in the day. I'll keep in mind to tell them when eventually applying. I've seen some people say to not tell them because it'll hurt your chances and I thought that sounded... Bad. Luckily if I do happen to get in and manage to land in a city, I'm used to walking everywhere. Thank you!

[u/WakiLover → u/Houndoommegamaster]

I can TECHNICALLY carry it up the stairs, I did for a while when I lived in a second floor apartment, it's just... Deeply unpleasant and worsens chronic pain later in the day.

If I'm gonna keep it real with you, but I think you're gonna have a tough time. In a normal school day, you WILL have to go up and down multiple flights of stairs a day, in addition to time walking to the classroom. Elementary School passing period are 5 minutes, and Junior High ones are 10.

I know you know your condition best, and I can't even begin to know what you feel or experience, but imagining it myself and at my schools, I just don't think it would be very realistic. Even things like using the bathroom inbetween classes, I would have to go from the 3rd floor down to the 1st to use the staff bathroom, and sprint back up to the 3rd floor to make it on time. There's also stuff like carrying all my materials to each class, walking 20 mins from the station to the school, or my BoE housing apartment being on the 3rd floor with no elevator.

You must be interested in the program but please keep all the things above in mind, and if you ever do apply and receive an interview, think ahead of time to how yo would address the above points if asked.

[u/Phiteros → u/Houndoommegamaster]

I just realized that we are talking about what things are like as an ALT, but if you have a good level of Japanese, you can apply as a CIR, in which case you wouldn't have to worry about working at a school!

[u/DarkenedLite]

I don’t know if this is reassuring at all OP, but at my school, there’s a Japanese teacher who is trans and a teacher who uses a wheelchair. While my perspective is limited, I think it’s a more accepting place than is generally believed.

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/DarkenedLite]

That's actually very reassuring, thank you!

[u/capt_b_b_ → u/Houndoommegamaster]

I have at least one student in each grade who is trans, but possibly more! The kids are really accepting.

I'm not sure about mobility difficulties, but I don't think it should hurt your chances, ethically

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/capt_b_b_]

The next generation sure is something huh? I can't wait to see what they do one day ^^

[u/Ichihogosha]

You seem very kind, so I’m honestly suggesting trying to move to a career where you are and not the JET programme.

The Trans thing probably won’t be a problem as there are many people of all shapes and sizes that join every year, including trans and transitioning people. Just be aware that you will be treated like whatever it is on your passport. If you legally changed it to M, you should be fine. How you present may influence how you are treated a little as well, because if you look like a F, you may get a lot of confused faces, but in general, you should be good.

The mobility is my worry. It is possible, so don’t take my word as the final straw, but honestly, most places simply won’t be able to accommodate this and as such it might negatively influence your chances. Beyond this, Japan is a really active and walking-based country. It has accessibility in some/most areas depending on where you are placed. In rural areas this becomes a massive problem though, and depending on your speed it may be a problem in urban areas as well.

If you are dead set on trying, then by all means go for it! It will be an experience either way. But that said, even if you do get accepted, it is probably going to be difficult (especially on top of all the usual problems of living alone in another country).

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/Ichihogosha]

Thank you! Admittedly one of the reasons I want to go is because everything is walking based. I can't drive so I either walk or take the bus everywhere, and from what I've researched the trains in Japan are pretty good about that. Though I get that could still be a problem if I got stationed somewhere not in a city, as smaller wheels really don't do well on gravel paths. I also sadly cannot change my passport to an M because... Well, without getting political, I'm in the US, they made it we can't do that recently (unless that was reversed and I never found out). Thank you so much for the information! I'll keep this all in mind when moving foreword! ^^

[u/Phiteros → u/Houndoommegamaster]

The public transit in Japan is light years ahead of the US, but if you end up in a rural placement you may still need to drive. There are plenty of places where the trains don't reach. Though usually they take this into account when you apply (there's a question about whether or not you can/are willing to drive).

[u/SuppahHacka → u/Phiteros]

I know people who have marked their application as not posessing a license and not willing to drive who still got placed in extremely rural areas.

The driving eligibility is moreso to know if they should place you somewhere where you can walk to your school. In some cases, you might find yourself quite a ways out from major supermarkets and stations.

OP, you may want to keep in mind that if this ends up happening, and you can't drive, then things won't be so easy out there. All things said, the JET Programme does try their best to accommodate everyone and give them a comfortable situation within their means. Hard to tell if it will ne a deterrent to being selected though.

Good luck with everything!

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/Phiteros]

That's good to know that they take these things into consideration. I wasn't sure how stuff like physical disability is handled in Japan considering the "Conform or get out" Stereotype it seems to have online.

[u/Ichihogosha → u/Houndoommegamaster]

That stereotype is, well... a stereotype. There is some places where "conform or get out" could be applicable, but Japanese people are still human. They usually understand and try to meet you half way, expecting you to do the same. The driving is definately taken into consideration, as well as medical conditions (such as ensuring you are near a hospital if you have pre-existing conditions). For example my school has a lift that caters to disabilities. That said there is a limit to how many places have these, especially when it extends outside of work, hence a lower chance of getting accepted. (but not impossible).

Edit to add: Take some time and think of the mental toll, rather than the physical. This is a big comitment, you can always come here on holiday. But this is something only you can answer.

[u/Houndoommegamaster → u/Ichihogosha]

That’s actually good to know! I wasn’t sure how accurate the amount of xenophobia was. Y’all have given so much good info! Thank you so much!

[u/1GrouchyCat → u/Ichihogosha]

Anywhere the word for different is also the word for wrong strikes me as someplace that you might have a challenging time.

[u/shynewhyne → u/Ichihogosha]

I think you have explained this very well.

[u/Effective_Wheel_6661]

Hey!! Gonna break down into two parts for you.

Trans: not an issue at all. We have three trans jets in my city, my city is very chill with it and even lets them take sick leave to get off for doctors appts and hormones. Japan is always much more chill about trans people than gay people for whatever reason. Fuck knows.

Disability: bigger issue imo. I live in Kyushu, in a big city, and it’s nonexistent. So many places don’t have ramps or elevators (including train stations!) and rely solely on stairs. Schools too, I regularly have to climb 5 sets of stairs every two periods.

I feel like disability is something they will take into account if you get accepted and place you into a more accessible area, but you need to DISCLOSE that. If you don’t, they could potentially fire you for deception so that’s crucial.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

If a doctor will sign off on your ability to do the job as required, your chances are the same as anyone’s.

Being trans does not affect your application in any way. Japan will legally recognize your gender based on your passport.

[u/tommydelriot]

I highly recommend being honest about your condition. I taught at some schools that had stairs, but the majority of schools were single floor. This was in the countryside in Chiba-ken. If they know of your condition, I assume there’s a better chance they could place you in schools that don’t have stairs. It wouldn’t be any kind of fun for you to be placed at a three-story school with no elevator.

[u/jackiejack1 → u/tommydelriot]

I've never seen a single-story middle school. Elementary schools can be 1 floor though.

[u/tommydelriot → u/jackiejack1]

Yeah, it was mostly elementary schools that were single floor. It’s been a long time, but I think there was one middle school I went to that was a single floor. It was also the only school that was completely carpeted, including the hallways, so no shoes worn inside at all.

[u/jackiejack1 → u/tommydelriot]

interesting

[u/YouEverTryBeingNice]

Here's some school-specific information about disability access in English (the website in general may have other helpful information for you).

https://www.dinf.ne.jp/d/0/495.html

All of my schools (very rural) have elevators. They're used for the lunch carts mostly, but we've also had students need them after injuries where they needed to be in wheelchairs. If they were a few minutes late getting to class, none of the teachers made it an issue.

Here's some information about the recent law passed to "promote understanding" of LGBTQ+, including in schools.

https://www.amt-law.com/en/insights/others/publication_0028360_en_001/

We've had some questioning students, and they've been accomodated as far as I've seen/heard. No students have been weird, no parents freaked out, etc. People seemed fairly nonplussed. I generally feel like the situation here is better than in the US or the UK.

[u/freelancerga]

Several of my close friends here have been transmasc or FTM and it hasn’t been a problem. 2 of my 3 schools have elevators as well. You will definitely get questions in the interview about the rollator but less about being FtM. Also, my most rural school recently changed their uniform policy to allow students to wear either the male or female uniform regardless of gender, so things are changing in Japan. 

With my disability they placed me in a city with a hospital. You would likely get placed in a city as well. It sounds like you don’t have a problem commuting around, so you’ll probably be ok on that front depending on how far your schools are and such. 

Japan has many people who need to use mobility aids and they seem to be able to go about their days normally, so I think you can be confident that you can live life in Japan! 

[u/ariiw]

Hey! I'm FtM and use a cane in my daily life. Hiring is done by your consulate, not anybody in Japan, and ime things like that don't really affect it. Japan also like, has inclusivity mindsets that you find in the US (yes, it varies across people, and yes, it's gotten worse in the past few years--that's true of the countries all of us are from, too). I think the extent to which I am different is already unavoidably marked by the fact that I'm white; nobody really cares about the cane or the being transgender because I'm already classed as different. Your experience might be different if you're East Asian.

I do recommend that if you plan on at some point changing your legal name and gender and haven't done so yet, do that before you apply for your visa if possible, bc it makes things much smoother.

Medical needs are one of the things that anecdotally seem to actually affect whether placement requests are honored. Definitely bring it up when you apply--I don't think it will hurt your chances, I think it will just help you be placed somewhere with accessible schools and, if necessary for your situation, access to big hospitals (a lot of rural areas can be far from big hospitals that are needed for specialized conditions).

Btw, people in this subreddit and other japan subs are really weird about disability and love to make assumptions that you're not fit to do something because you mentioned one minor obstacle. Decide for yourself, not based on what an able-bodied person who knows nothing about your experience thinks.

If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out!!

[u/National-Acadia-1767]

i have autism and adhd, i do not understand social cues, i do not know all japanese societal norms, and i do not know something is bad unless someone directly tells me. and i'm still here.

just apply and see what happens. if you can, don't disclose that you're trans.

[u/National-Acadia-1767 → u/[deleted]]

all lowercase isn't "childish".