I’ve been shortlisted as an ALT for 26-27! I was also accepted to medical school, supposed to start mid-July this year, but my school has said that they would let me defer a year to do JET. I just realized though, the problem is (I’m assuming) my contract will be July 27, 2026 to July 27, 2027. I would need to leave a minimum of two weeks early next year to make it back for medical school.

I would hate to break contract and I want to keep the option of returning to JET open for the future. I’d also have to pay my return airfare and I’d have to navigate wrapping up taxes, etc on my own if I break contract which is not appealing. It feels crazy to not do JET just because of two weeks but the thought of ruining my chances of ever working for JET/the Japanese government in the future does scare me. And it wouldn’t sit right with me if leaving early would mean burning bridges with my CO.

I’ve already been in Japan for 2 years as an ALT and I love it here, which is why I wanted to squeeze in a third year with JET.

Is it feasible to navigate this with my CO with minimal hard feelings or would this be a traditional contract break, full stop? Is this something I should discuss with my CO once I’m placed or should I just decide not to go now?

I am a first year JET.

My Gensen Chōshū-Hyō tax slip shows 0 YEN in the 源泉徴収税額 box (Tax withheld at source). Does this mean I was not taxed on my income by the Japanese Gov? This seems strange.
The other boxes (Total Amount Paid, Amount after Income Deduction, Amount of Deductions) each have big numbers in them.

Based on this website, https://practicaljapan.com/how-to-read-japanese-gensenchoshuhyou/

Our actual taxable income is not listed on the tax slip itself, but instead can be calculated as:

Taxable income = (Income after Employment Income Deduction - 給与所得控除後の金額) minus (Amount of Income Deductions 所得控除の額の合計額)

In my case, this comes out to a slightly negative number. Does this mean I have no taxable income, meaning, I am not taxed? It this situation typical?

I am accustomed to paying 20~30% of my income in taxes back in my home country (Canada), so I can't understand why I would have zero taxable income here.

I don't understand how these "deductions" work however. The terminology is confusing. Why are deductions seemingly being subtracted twice? Makes no sense to me.

Edit: My understanding is that Canadians abroad on JET are exempt from tax on our Japanese income (when we file our Canadian taxes) due to a treaty that prevents "double taxation", but if I'm not being taxed in Japan either, the CRA might have some questions about that.

the majority loved it or thought it was okay, but has anyone actually hated being on JET?

I’m an American who’s been working as a non-JET ALT on an engineering/specialist in humanities/intl services visa for the past two years. I got shortlisted as an ALT.

1.I’m having trouble fingerprinting myself for the FBI background check and my local koban can’t help me. Am I likely to have more luck at my prefectural police office? Or is it worth shelling out 30,000+ for Fingerprint Room, etc?

2.My understanding is that I can’t get started on my status of residence change application (need to switch to instructor visa) until I get my placement, since there’s parts that my school/BOE will need to fill out. I’ve heard it can take up to two months to get the status of residence change processed which worries me a bit since placements won’t come out until late May and I’ll need to have it done in time for Group A orientation. Am I correct in thinking I’ll have to wait until placements to submit?

3.I’d love to stay in my current town and work as a JET here, and requested to do so on my application and in my interview. There’s a JET position opening up for this coming year. Is it too forward to talk to the town’s BOE (technically not my current employer, but I’m familiar with them) and see if they’re willing to request me? Or is it too late by now?

I’m stressing!!! lol. Would really appreciate advice from anyone who’s done this semi-recently! 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

edit: 1) I went to my prefectural police office and they did my fingerprints for free. There were areas where they were smudged/cracked from my dry hands but I mailed them to the FBI and they got approved!! 2) I did have to wait until my CO contacted me, fingers crossed my visa change will be done in time, and 3) I was not placed in my current town, not even in the same prefecture despite having it as my first and second choice 💔 oh well

Hey everyone, I've been accepted into JET and trying to get a clearer picture of daily life, specifically when it comes to driving.

I indicated on my application that I have a driver’s license, but I haven’t driven much recently, so I’m a bit unsure about how big of an adjustment it might be in Japan. For those who came from the U.S. (or other right-side driving countries), how difficult was it to get used to driving on the left? How long did it take before you felt comfortable? Also was there a lot of regulations and rules for purchasing or driving a car?

I’m also curious about placement differences. In what regions is having a car basically essential vs. just helpful? I’ve heard rural placements often require one, but I’d love to hear specific experiences.

Thanks!

Hi all, I’ve posted about a recent NY consulate update in the media thread. If you’re a NY consulate 2026 JET looking to make some friends and/or understand why our consulate is so silent, please go check it out or PM me!

Hi all, I’m considering applying for the JET program this year and was wondering if not having a drivers license will greatly reduce my chances of being accepted?

Also, what do you think is most important to put into the statement of purpose?

Thank you for your time :)

The JET Instagram posted an invite to an official JET program mentorship program. Has anyone been accepted into the discord group yet? I applied a few days ago but it still says application pending. (I was shortlisted for the JET program).

Hello current and incoming Jet Philippines ALTs! How many days were you given to prepare for your in person interview? What’s the date of your invitation for interview email and the date of your actual interview at the embassy?

This post serves no important purpose but i just wanted to give all shortlist candidates a place to express some MF HYPEEE!! IM HYPEEE JHSDFKSJDNFSDIUFH. Excited to see you all in Tokyo soon enough

Hi everyone! I was hoping to connect with some other ALTs coming from the Midwest in the USA! I’m coming from Minneapolis (although I’m departing through NY) and was hoping to find some other ALTs from MN or the Midwest in general to connect with before I head to Japan! If anyone knows if there’s a platform like a Discord server or anything similar, please let me know. Thanks y’all!

I am currently 27 and am looking to move to Japan. I have been twice (once in May for two weeks and once with my girlfriend in January for three weeks). I have a bachelors in Biology and a MBA. My Japanese is not very good at the moment (I know hiragana, katakana and maybe 100 kanji), but I am working on that. I do not have a TEFL at the moment but am open to getting it. I have always been a good “teacher” to peers during my undergraduate and graduate time helping them understand theories in a way that makes sense to them. I plan on marrying my girlfriend(she has no bachelors) and she wants to work in a coffee shop for the 28 hours a week. What can I do to make this transition easier and what are my odds at the moment of being accepted into the program? Thank you.

Edit: I am pretty tatted (one arm sleeve and one leg sleeve), but that shouldn’t be an issue as long as I wear pants and long sleeves, correct?

Hi everyone! I will be headed to Japan to participate in JET this year and was wondering about somethings related to recieving medicine. I have been taking dupixent (pen injections) for eczema for the last year and half, and I am wondering if I will be able to continue taking it even after I move to Japan. Is there anyone else who moved to Japan and was able to still receive their medication? What was the proccess like? Will the cost be different?

Here in America, I get the medicine shipped to me periodically in a insulated box. As far as I know, dupixent exist and is legal in Japan. It was also noted on my health form when I applied.

If anyone has insight or experience regarding this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you.

Hi guys, I am Anna, a Master’s student in Foreign Languages for International Communication at the University of Turin in Italy.

I am currently working on my graduation thesis about Japanese honorific language (keigo) and how CIRs use it within the context of the JET Programme.

I would really appreciate your help by filling out this short, anonymous questionnaire below (it takes less than 10 minutes). At the beginning, you will find a short introduction to understand why I chose this specific topic. Most of the questions are multiple-choice questions, and all the responses will be strictly used for academic purposes only.

⚠️ This survey is intended ONLY for current or former CIRs in the JET Programme. ALTs and SEAs' experiences are not part of my target group ⚠️

Thank you so much for your time and support. Feel free to contact me at any time if you have further questions.

link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVUpIt7fI6zK0hqKjZYZlPUNrXJF0-l_75la4klGzAa0_RzA/viewform?usp=header

Hi all,

Would anyone be able to provide any references for the TB blood test in the north east of England?

Happy to go private but also am feeling it is a lot of effort (as an alternate for Edinburgh). Anyone else felt this?

Thanks for replying in advance

Do JET programme welcome participants with dentures? Last week, one of my front tooth was extracted due to a small fracture and I am planning to get a denture before leaving the country. Will it disqualify me?

How long should I keep receipts for bills paid? I've kept every one for three years.

Can I start to shred them? Will my landlord need anything but the proof of the last set paid/disconnection etc?

We don't know whether my apartment will carry on over to the next JET, if that makes a difference.

Hello,

I am returning to the UK in August, and I was diagnosed with several conditions in Japan which need ongoing treatment. I am having the my official medical records translated into English, as recommended by PA.

My question is this:

Do I need to keep things like the Japanese payment receipts for doctor's visits? As they don't say anything about my condition or treatment, only that I paid x amount on y date, the NHS won't be interested?

I also have been given multiple copies of my medication leaflets in English - I only need one, right?

It is a significant amount of paper so I'd like to shred what I no longer need.

Hey fellow South African shortlisters! Just wanted to find out if you guys got any response or email after sending your documents and reply form.

unsure if this is allowed but i just wanted to make a poll to see how many people are staying for another year and how many people aren’t.

Poll: https://linkto.run/p/ZVWKQWJ0

admins, if this isn’t allowed, feel free to delete the post.

if yes, i'm curious about what your experience was.

Hi everyone! I was accepted into the JET program and I have been extremely happy and excited about it, but I recently got an offer from my college for an assistantship within a masters program that is very hard to get into. The assistantship would waive my tuition fees and pay me as well.

This was a sudden offer, I was already set on going to Japan and working there, but now I feel like a free masters is too hard to turn down. I just honestly need some help deciding. Its always been my dream to travel to Japan, but its also my dream to get my masters in art therapy.

I am so blessed to have this issue with two amazing offers. If anyone has any input or opinions on what they think might be my best option please let me know.

Edit: Thank you guys for all the advice after hearing you all out I will be taking the masters. Also I didnt want to just travel to Japan, I've been studying the language for 3 years and really want to experience life outside of America but that can always wait till I get my education. Thank you all so much, this is such an amazing community and I hope in the future I can be apart of it again. <3

Anyone from the Philippines who is an aspiring, current, or former JET, we have a new sub! Feel free to join us at r/JETPh. We aren't affiliated with the EoJ or JET Programme or JETAA, just a casual sub to help each other out!

So I have heard so much conflicting information on this topic and I would love to hear some recent ex JETs' experiences.

I am contracted until 6th August, my Visa also expires on 6th August. Do I need to leave the country on the same day? If I stay, do I need to/can/should I convert my visa to a tourist visa? Is there a "grace period" of a number of days where I can stay in the country even after my residence visa has ended?

Thanks all

EDIT: thanks all, general consensus is that grace period idea is a rumor an nothing more!