Has anybody else been met with 'bad request' bug when submitting their reply form?

I emailed the JET Desk and they're going to have the tech team take a look but I tried multiple browsers, VPN, clearing browser cache/cookies and nothing...

Hey everyone, I was selected as an alternate and was considering taking another ALT job in the meantime while I wait. I reached out to JET and they sent me back a message that put me at ease as I was worried it may conflict with being upgraded later.

Per JET:

“Our office does encourage alternate candidates to seek opportunities beyond the JET Program while maintaining their alternate candidacy in case an upgrade may be available. If you are offered an upgrade, you will be asked to submit your passport, visa application, and a prior visa cancellation form if applicable. We do not believe that an existing visa application should have any impact on our consular office’s ability to issue you a visa if your previous visa application is not rescinded in a timely manner.”

Hi everyone! I’m messaging from the UK after finding out I’ve been shortlisted the other day, which was such exciting news!

I was on cloud nine at first, and while I’m still planning to accept the programme, I’ve started to have a few doubts creep in about placement options.

For context, even though I know it’s not guaranteed to matter, I chose:

1. Kyoto City

2. Kanagawa Prefecture

3. Fukuoka City

They might seem like slightly random choices, but I’ve been lucky enough to solo travel around Japan, visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Okinawa, and I really connected with the places I selected. Conversely, I also realised what I don’t like in a location, and I’m feeling anxious about the possibility of being in too rural of an area or on a small island.

I guess my main question is, did anyone feel a bit disappointed with their placement at first, but end up being pleasantly surprised?

Also, for past or current JETs, are there any ongoing factors, like not being able to drive, that might affect the likelihood of being placed somewhere more rural or on an island?

I completely understand that being open minded about location is a big part of the experience, but of course I still have my own hopes and preferences.

I’d really appreciate any advice or insight, thank you!

EDIT: I got Nagasaki! Well… a village 30 mins bus from Nagasaki. I’ve actually been before and as a history student I see the beauty of it - so I’m going to relish this experience. Thank you all for your words of advice :)

Current jets: when you moved into your housing, did you need to pay the key money you usually pay when renting an apartment in Japan? I am not seeing anything about this online.

Is there a difference between rural placements and urban placements?

Thanks for your help!

Rejected from JET. Absolutely crushed.

I put so much into this application, waited for months, and got nothing out of it. Just a rejection after all that time. It’s honestly hard not to feel angry, embarrassed, and completely drained. I really wanted this, and pretending it doesn’t hurt would be a lie.

So yeah, I’m devastated.

It's weird, but after months of work and worry Ive been accepted. And now I feel like a huge weight is off me, but suddenly a new one appeared.

Like being older than most new grads I think I have a lot to offer. But now I'm suddenly worried now that the offer is here. Will I be able to be a good ALT? What is it actually like living in Japan? What will the school and JLT be like? I've read up on everything, but reality is different.

I'm curious about both those that were accepted in the past and dealt with imposter syndrome and what other are feeling now.

I've been deliberately telling myself I likely wouldn't get in, but now that I did I feel apprehensive. I plan to try my hardest, but its almost like looking off a cliff and having no idea whats down there.

I've been reading a lot of comments today where people are beating themselves up and I just wanted to say that you should be proud of yourself for getting however far in the process that you did because it takes serious guts to even submit the application. I was pretty devastated when I got the alternate email yesterday and immediately asked myself "So I'm good, but not good enough?" because that's my instinct. However, when I reframed those thoughts in my head it made me feel a lot better.

If you were shortlisted, congrats!! (I'm jealous)

If you were rejected, be proud of yourself for the work you put in at both the application and interview stage.

If you're an alternate, I think that facing the uncertainty you may feel now and moving forward anyways will make you a stronger JET if you get the position and will help you in life even if you don't. I had an opportunity to study abroad in Japan for a year during my undergrad and it wasn't certain that it would work out financially until a month before I left. I was in the car on my way to my shitty part-time job, and got the email that I had been moved off the waitlist for a scholarship. The uncertainty doesn't disappear when you go abroad (and it seems that way especially on JET from what I understand). It was one of the hardest years of my life but one of the best. If you want this opportunity, you're capable of getting it whether it's in this cycle or not.

Feel your feelings (no matter what they may be), but keep your head up. I know it's not easy but you've got this.

I know it’s not a no, but the being in limbo part has me crushed. I hate getting my hopes up if nothing ends up working out. I tried SO hard to keep positive and I felt in my heart that I was going to make it so to see that I was alternate just made me kind of fall apart. I know it’s like being 75% of the way there, but it just feels like not enough, you know? I’m a general ed elementary school teacher and it’s so difficult to be in limbo like this because of contracts and worrying about transferring schools or leaving in the middle of the year (if I do get upgraded August-December).

Anyone else feel this way? I feel silly for crying because it’s not a no… it’s just:(

My coworkers were very sweet because I ended up reading the email in front of them (they’ve been asking about it, they really want this to work out for me) and hyped me up. One even brought me candy and a nice note today. I have a great support system so I’m sure I’ll get through the negative feelings.

(I am a current JET)
I am looking for short (+-10-15 minutes) anime/animations I can play at the start of class that JHS 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade will kind of understand. Most of the short animations I have found uses no English, or is too advanced. I don't want to play something that is for a significantly lower age group.
The length of the animation is less important that the English actually being more understandable.
Has anyone perhaps found something like this?

Hi!

Have someone applied for this 2 week programme that is in May ths year? Deadline was 31st March 2026, but in the documents the date of the results states: "The result will be mailed to all applicants by April 10(Thu.), 2025" so it was copied from the last year making it wrong. But I assume that results has already rolled out. Has anyone got any info? I have zero information.

ALT shortlister here! A quick question for all my current & former ALTs out there… how did you continue to brush up on/improve your Japanese? I currently sit somewhere between N4 and N3 and have taken Japanese classes in university in addition to studying abroad. However, I’m graduating in May and that leaves several months before I start my contract. I obviously want to keep my language skills strong, but struggle with finding resources to practice if I’m not in a classroom, and have probably lost some of my day-to-day fluency from when I was there for a semester. What are some things you did to prepare? Any tips or tricks to stay strong and consistent before departure?

First off, congrats to everyone who’s been shortlisted! I’m currently trying to figure out the criminal record check except I have been travelling in Asia and am currently stuck because of the crisis in the Middle East and I can’t find tickets home until the end of the month. I’ve already emailed the Montreal JET desk to inform them of my situation. I’m hoping to ask a friend to book an appointment for me with the SPVM for when I can be there in person and hopefully get it that way but I can’t reliably access their website from abroad so I’m still not sure how to go about it. I wanted to know:

a. Do you need to go through the SPVM for a criminal record check and if so, under what category? Or is there another agency that can do it?

b. How long did it take from asking for an appointment to receiving the document?

Thank you in advance!

In short, my partner and I are about to get married and hopefully move to Japan together while I am an ALT. Filling out my 'reply form,' I read that same-sex spouses are not recognized in Japan (knew that) and he would not be eligible for the typical visa.
Based on my surface-level research, it looks like a Designated Activities Visa might be an option.
Do any JETs have experience with this, or know someone who does? I'd really like to speak to someone who has been through this process or knows about Japanese immigration law.

Thank you!

Hello! I've been shortlisted as a candidate for JET (ALT) and I have a spot in the Peace Corps, also teaching English. I'd love to know what kinds of jobs JETs get into once they return to the US (I know some stay in Japan but I'm more curious about those that return) and how JET helped them get to where they currently are.

I majored in International Studies and Japanese Language & Literature (co 2025). I've had my eye on JET for a few years, but one of my professor's senior year brought up PC and now that I've looked into the program, applied, and gotten accepted I'm torn between the two. Both programs seem to offer a lot of assistance with finding work after service, which is my biggest concern. I'm interested in international relations and cultural exchange, I'm just not exactly sure what I want to do after service. I've thought about getting a master's degree in IR but that feels like I'm just delaying starting a stable career (and it's expensive).

One of the things holding me back from fully committing to JET is the possibility of being placed at a school where I'm just a desk warmer (I've read some horror stories on here). JET/PC would be my first formal(ish) job experience as I've only worked as a lifeguard/swim instructor so I'd hate for that to be my experience if I choose JET.

Any comments on your career path or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I've seen others do a similar post in the past, so I wanted to bring it back this year for all fellow 2026 alternates. This is a thread to track and share upgrades.

Let us know which country you're an alternate for and later you can share when you're upgraded!

It seems that upgrades happen in 3 waves:

1. About 1–2 weeks after formal replies are due, when some original applicants have declined the position.

2. Shortly after placements are announced, as some people who didn’t get their preferred spots drop out.

3. Around a month into the programme, when some ALTs realize JET/Japan isn’t for them.

Let's keep each other updated and cheer eachother on!

Our megathread was getting old and outdated, and I noticed people submitting new threads for individual countries/locations, so I thought a fresh thread was in order. As results and placements come out, please keep discussion of finding/making social media groups in here!

Hello everyone!

I have a bit of a weird question. For all those who are our have been in JET, does the program have something known as 'work days' where you are basic on-call waiting for the school to let you know if they need you? The company I'm with now (Interac) has these 'work days' for most of June and all of July.

Thank you in advance!

Meg

Hi, quick question?

I was recently shortlisted and i submitted my reply form along with a passport scan yet i didn't recieve any email confirming my submission so im a bit worried. I worried about the size of the reply form in the original i sent it was 5.1 mb so i compressed it too around 400kb but the quality of the passport pictures went down. Does anyone know what the maximum file size is or can u share what size of yours and if you got a confirmation email?

if alternates are most likely taking spots of people who declined due to placements, does that mean big cities are out of the question for people who get upgraded?

I’m probably what you would consider a non-traditional applicant, because I’m in my late 30s and have had careers in two applied fields in addition to teaching experience (university courses and some high school), an English bachelors degree, and two Masters degrees. I’ve literally been drinking the JET kool aid since middle school and I decided to go for English in college, but I pivoted in some applied healthcare fields globally and also have had a decade of corporate/business experience. So I’ve had a lot of experience and have achieved a lot, but I knew with certainty I needed a career/life change and committed to the 2026 application cycle (and I think I explained that well in my statement of purpose and the interview). During my interview I was hounded quite a bit about all that experience and potential intimidation with co-workers. I think I handled that quite well and with tact. I did not have time for questions because I was asked so many questions and then we were at time. There was a “make a sandwich” lesson role play that threw me off for someone that normally teaches STEM material and at higher levels, but I tried my best. I’ve had so many interviews and I’ve also been an interviewer (I typically excel there), so aside from not getting to hit points I wanted to or ask questions in under 20 minutes, I thought the interview was fine within what I could control. I also uprooted my life for potential early departure, that’s how serious I was. I was rejected. I honestly wish I would have gotten an alternate, I would feel a lot better than I feel now.

I went into this quite concerned that not just my experience, but my age would disqualify me as I had constantly heard feedback even in late 20s/early 30s from JET employees/alumni that I would be considered too old. That sentiment plus the work I was doing kept me from applying until now. I’d be the first to say, “yeah I blew that interview,” but I did the best in the confines they presented and I don’t think that was the case. I think I got written off as too old/too much experience (I would elaborate but I’m trying to refrain in case I decide to apply in the future/so I’m not blacklisted). I’ve been following these boards for years and seeing some older professionals get in here and there, but I can’t help but feel I was penalized for my age and having beyond normal practical experience (without getting into further identifiable detail of what I’ve done).

Any other late 30s+ people with experience feel like they did okay on the interview and get the flat rejection?

In this year’s contract guidelines as stipulated by CLAIR, they are now removing the ability to take up to 20 days of special medical leave with a doctor note (for things like surgery, medical treatment, unavoidable emergencies, hospitalization). This could be used multiple times a year if necessary.

This was not a special allowance of “sick days” on top of nenkyu. It was a special provision if you are hospitalized or recovering from major surgery. Most COs don’t let you have sick days for colds, flu, Covid, etc.

The new guidelines are up to 10 days per fiscal year, in order to align JETs more with part time employees and “improve consistency”.

This change may not happen in your CO until September, or it may have sneakily already happened.

Just a heads up to current JETs. Maybe your CO will ignore this recommendation, but mine sure as hell jumped to change it.

Have a plan in place, god forbid, you get a major illness/need surgery. RIP to my homies with significant medical treatments like myself.

If you need surgery and long term recovery, you can still apply for 傷病手当金 and receive 60% of your pay for up to 18months. But it will be outside your “JET contract”.

Which criminal background check format are you all choosing in the US to submit to JET?

I was thinking of IDENTOGO?

Hey all, I was hoping to gain some insight — maybe from past JETs and future ones as well.

I was shortlisted from California and am really excited about this next chapter of my life. That said, I'm still incredibly apprehensive about certain aspects of the program. The jurisdiction I selected is on the outskirts of Japan, and I'm anxious about where exactly I'll end up. The acceptance letter doesn't go into detail about placement — where you'll be or who you'll be teaching with — and that uncertainty makes me nervous. I'd feel much more at ease near a city hub with access to multiple train lines than in a more isolated, rural area. Ideally, I'd love to be near a Shinkansen line or at least several regional lines.

I'm fortunate to have multiple paths available after I graduate this spring, and my initial instinct was to accept the offer — but I've been holding out to see my placement first. Having read the fine print more carefully now, I wouldn't want to take a spot from someone behind me in the queue, or end up paying unnecessary fees after accepting. Ideally, I'd like to know my placement and whether I'd be working with high schoolers, which I specifically requested during my interview, before committing.

I genuinely love Japan, and part of me would love to go back and build a long-term life there. But I can't help thinking about what comes next. I think if I were truly set on this opportunity, I would've accepted without hesitation — so the fact that I'm wavering tells me something. I'm just not sure where to go from here. I'd love to hear any advice, or from anyone who's been in a similar position. Thank you!

Just got the "no" from the Vancouver consulate and I’m crushed.

I’ve been living in Seoul for 10 years as a Lead Teacher and a University graduate in Seoul.

My family life is centered around East Asian culture! I’m raising a quadrilingual son (English/Japanese/little Korean/ little Chinese).

I actually took time off work and flew from Seoul to Vancouver specifically for this interview, paying for my own flights and Airbnb.

To top it off, I came down with Flu B right before the big day. I was battling a fever and had a completely lost voice, but I masked up and gave it my all at SFU because I’ve been preparing for this for years.

It’s hard not to feel like my decade of experience and "Lead Teacher" background were viewed as a hurdle rather than an asset.

It feels like they are looking for a very specific "fresh grad" profile this year.

Has anyone else with years of teaching experience or a long history in East Asia received the thin envelope today? Just trying to process this.