Alex Quinn's Japan Journal

JET Programme

The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program is a Japanese government program that aims to culturally diversify Japan by importing foreigners from all over the world for various jobs.  Assistant language teachers (ALTs) make up the bulk of the JET participants, but there are also coordinators for international relations (CIRs) and sports exchange advisors (SEAs).  CIRs work in government offices and assist with translation and welcoming foreign visitors.  They have to have very good Japanese.  I am an ALT.  JET participants come from 41 different countries, including many non-English-speaking countries such as France, China, and Korea.  There are currently around 6000 JET participants in Japan.

When we first got to Japan, the JET Programme put on a lavish two day intensive orientation session, including various ceremonies where we got to hear some Japanese government officials speak.

They fed us awfull well while they were at it.

Yummy!