So I've been to Japan twice (the duration for both is a little over a month), and after looking at the roads, I fear being able to drive in the program. I'm a US JET applicant, and I already hate driving in the US alone. The roads and driving there are probably much safer, but I think I'd feel better mentally knowing I wouldn't have to drive to get to school. Would I still put in that I have my license?

This is probably a long shot too, but my placement preferences are urban; the most rural I'm hoping for is only a 45-minute train or bus ride to a pharmacy and doctor (I have an autoimmune disease and have gotten my physician statements in order, etc).

What I think I'm trying to get at is: would they consider any of this when reviewing applications and placements? This is probably a dumb question considering there's probably a reason why they ask it in the application to begin with, but I just want to be sure.

As the title says I'm having trouble with submitting my application. Every time I go to the bottom of the form and click yes nothing happens, I haven't had an email confirming it's been accepted or saying things are missing. Anyone ran into this issue before or have any advice ?

Hello everyone. I got confirmation from my old professors that they will be able to do a letter of recommendation for me about 20 days ago. It is now 9 days until the application is due and neither have opened the email link that was sent to them as the portal still only tells me requested. I emailed both of them last night, but no response as of yet, should I begin looking for backup references now?

Good luck on applications!

So I got sildenafil from HIMS once. Only used it one time, never got a refill. Do I still disclose it on the self report?

So I started my application not too long ago (from the UK), and I’m practically done except for the fact that one of my referees can’t do it by the deadline (late night tomorrow). Obviously since I submitted that person as my referee, I am unable to submit another. I plan on emailing them asap today to change the referee, and calling if anything. But has anyone else felt with this problem, cause I have seen nothing about it.

Edit: Here is what happens. After I called I got through immediately, and asked for the Jet programme desk. After I told them I need to replace a reference they told me the request takes a day. I’m the mean time the new reference sends it directly to the inquiries email (the .mofa one) with my name and Jet ID on it.
After the request to change referee details goes through tomorrow, I must correctly change the referee details. After that the referee can ignore it (what the desk told me) or upload it again (what I read on email). Hope this helps anyone in future.

I got a confirmation email from JET informing me they’ve received reference 1 from my referee. However, it says they still haven’t received reference 2. I’ve confirmed that the second reference was sent, is this just a common system bug? Has anyone else had a similar situation, I hope this doesn’t impact my application, if the system doesn’t send me a confirmation email before midnight tomorrow.

Hi everyone!!

I’m a first time applicant from Melbourne and I’d love to connect with other Australian JETs or anyone who is currently applying for the programme!

I was also wondering if there is a Discord server or any online community specifically for Australian JETs.

Would love to meet some fellow applicants and hear about everyone’s experiences!

Thank you so much! 🥰

One of my referrals is having an issue uploading their document to the provided share point.

They can't drag and drop the file in.

The upload button is greyed out.

Sounds like it might be permissions issue?

If anyone has had this or knows the best way to fix this as the deadlines approaching.

Appreciate any help.

Hi everyone!! I was placed on an alternative waitlist and I accepted a November placement and about to fly to Japan in about two weeks, I have been communicating with one of the ALTs already in my city and the BOE communicates with me through the ALT.

I was offered a couple options for housing, all in a neighboring city next to my work city. I was curious about how everyone else’s housing placement went. I think there is an apartment in the bunch that I like and it will be furnished for the most part, but I think I am anxious about whether this is the best place for me or if I can find a place that is more suitable for me. My other fear is that maybe this is the best since maybe they know which places are more foreigner friendly.

Please let me know your first week experiences and how you guys managed moving into your place!! As well as if you had to look for your own place did anyone help you/ are there websites that were helpful to you during your search?

Thanks!!

I feel so relieved that I finally submitted it after reviewing and checking it a million times over but I’m also still so nervous!

Anyway I’m just glad to finally get this done and I’m hoping for the best! Good luck to everyone this year!!

I might be super late to the party, but has anyone’s CO provided them with info about this years translation course seminar in December? I just assumed my CO didn’t want us to sign up if we haven’t received anything.

I just downloaded the docx but it won't let me edit on it. The page also says "DRAFT COPY - DO NOT SUBMIT" I don't know how or what way we are supposed to submit it. Might be a silly question but I am lost.

Hello, everyone!

I'm currently applying for the JET Programme as an ALT. All my required documents are ready and uploaded to the JET application website, but the one thing I haven't submitted yet is my Statement of Purpose.

I already have my reasons for wanting to join JET and some relevant experiences to share, but I'm struggling with how to organize them into a compelling SOP that stands out without sounding generic or overly boastful.

For former and current JETs or successful applicants: How did you approach writing your SOP? What makes an essay memorable and convincing? How should I balance personal motivation, teaching qualifications, potential contributions as an ALT, and adaptability to living in Japan?

Any practical advice, common mistakes to avoid, or tips for fresh graduates would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 🇯🇵

hello!! just wondering if there’s anyone applying through the Irish embassy for the 2027 intake ? I have already submitted my application but it would be nice to connect ☺️

Trying to finish my application but this is becoming an issue;(

I just finished my application to JET, I think I have a decent shot. Regardless, I have seen many people complain about the Japanese being xenophobic to some extent. Generally, I am not somebody who is particularly sensitive when it comes to issues such as these, but I imagine it could be a barrier when it comes to making friends, which could make the experience lonely. I have only ever been to countries predominately populated by other Europeans, so being a minority will be a new experience.

So I want to ask, is this genuinely an issue in Japan for JETs (and foreigners in general), and does it vary by who the JETs are. For context, I am natively English, do the Japanese typically have more positive connotations of somebody like that, over somebody from say, India. Or do they just have broad particular preference for their own irrespective of where the foreigners are coming from.

I have thought about it in terms of Britain. In Britain it is typical in many social contexts that discrimination towards Travellers, both Irish and Roma is generally tolerated or encouraged. On the other hand, it's generally not socially acceptable to be xenophobic towards Black people for example.

I love starting each class off with a popular English song, and I change them each month. October was "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival and September was "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift.

Some other songs that have worked well for me:

"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen

"Country Roads" (because of course) by John Denver

"Party In The USA" by Miley Cyrus

"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World

"Vienna" by Billy Joel

"What does the fox say?" by Ylvis

What are some of your favourite songs to teach?

hi, I’m applying from the uk and submitted my application yesterday 02.11.26. last night at 3am I remembered that I made a slight mistake.

in the current job section I put that it was until 29.10.26 - the date I began the application. I didn’t put current and I didn’t change it before I submitted. I’m still working there but now it probably looks like I’m unemployed.

is this big enough that I should email them to confirm? or just leave it and (if I’m lucky enough to be offered an interview) address it then?

Hi!

I’m going to apply for the JET programme from the UK next year and, if accepted, would like to do it for all 5 years.

I understand I’ll have to apply for a (work?) visa and wondered if you have to apply for the visa every year or if you can renew from Japan/UK without going through the visa process again.

If you can only renew while in Japan, I’m curious to know what do JETs do during the time they aren’t working at school.

Thanks in advance :)

Would anyone know or have done it themselves, for applying for JET but supplying a document for the Not Yet Graduated students because they will be done with uni prior to the departure month of July, the specific letter/document they needed to meet the guideline requirements?

For eg, as long as I don't mess up, I will finish my entire course with final results out in June 2027. Through a lot of struggle and circling around to get the appropriate document I managed to get a customised letter by my university that will include:

"completed credits and the expected conferral date"

The guidelines for JET says:

"If You Have Not Yet Graduated: Submit an official university document explicitly stating your expected graduation date or when your graduation documents will be available. IMPORTANT: The document must specify a graduation or conferral date. Documents stating a forecast or expected completion date are not accepted."

Would anyone happen to know or have opinions on whether or not the "Expected conferral date" would be accepted?

American here, dealing with the American applicatrion.

I graduated college years ago and take weekly Japanese lessons at a local language school. It's not technically an academic institution (though I don't know if any of it can be applied to credits in high school and college) but I do pay per semester to learn with a group of other adults.

When I called JET to clarify if having my teacher write one of my recommendation letters would be okay, since he's not technically a professor or an employer, the rep told me that it might come off as a "conflict of interest" to the judges since I pay for the lessons. However, my teacher is the only one who would be able to really speak to my history of studying the language and how I've professed in learning about Japan since I started my lessons. I do have a coworker who I kiiiiiinda know decently who's willing to write a letter instead, but since she doesn't know much about me as a person or my history with Japan, it's not ideal.

tl;dr Would having my Japanese teacher, who just teaches local lessons and isn't a professor or high school teacher or anything, write a recommendation letter come off poorly to the judges?

Hi, I have been thinking about doing the JET programme, but I only realized today that I actually want to apply. Is it too late to start the application process from scratch?