JET Program

2025/9/30
2026 PROGRAM APPLICATIONs Are OPEN!


For complete information about the JET Program and to apply, please visit the Official JET Program Website for U.S. Citizens.Open a new window


If you are NOT a U.S. citizen, please check this pageOpen a new window and to find the Embassy of Japan website of the country in which you hold citizenship.


Connect with the JET Program on Facebook -- click here!Open a new window

About

JET Teaching
JET Students

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, which enters its 37th year, is aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. The number of countries sending participants has risen over the years, as has the number of participants.


The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) administers the JET Program in cooperation with local government organisations; the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA); and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). CLAIR provides support for both JET Program participants and their Contracting Organizations* by arranging each JET participant's arrival, holding orientation seminars, as well as providing counselling and distributing a wide variety of essential resource materials and information.


Two positions are offered for U.S. citizens: Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). ALTs work as assistants to Japanese teachers of English at elementary, junior high or senior high schools, while CIRs engage in international exchange activities at local government offices.


JET participants are located in every prefecture of Japan and develop strong relationships with their local communities through foreign language education and international exchange activities. After completing their time on the Program, many former JET participants use their experiences in Japan to continue enhancing relations between Japan and their home countries.


* Contracting Organizations consist of 47 prefectural and 20 designated city governments, individual city, town and village governments and some private schools. JET participants sign their contracts with their Contracting Organization and as such, they are under the jurisdiction of the local authority which employs them.


The information contained on this page is specifically for prospective JETs, current applicants, and JET Alumni who live or work in our jurisdiction of Southern California (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties) and the state of Arizona.


If you have questions about the JET Program not answered here or on the official U.S. website, and you reside in our jurisdiction, please contact the JET Program Coordinator by phone at (213) 617-6700 x332, or by email. If you are not a United States citizen, please click hereOpen a new window to find and contact the Embassy of Japan in the country to which you hold citizenship for JET Program information.

 

Application & Interview Timeline

 

Now Open! 

Applications will be made available through the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.Open a new window

Please see the list of Required Documents and Supplemental MaterialsOpen a new window. Some items (e.g. transcripts and/or criminal background check) may take up to one month to obtain, therefore it would be in your best interest to begin collecting your documents as soon as possible.

October - November

Recruitment -- Campus Visits & Information SessionsOpen a new window

November 14, 2025

Application deadline

 

Early February 2026

Interviews

March 2026

Notification of results

May 2026

Placement notification, Visa Processing

June-July 2026

Orientation & Reception, Departure

 

JET Recruiting Events in Fall 2025

 

The JET Program will continue to offer virtual and in-person recruitment and application workshop sessions in 2025. You can find a list of JET Program recruiting events below.  

Unable to attend sessions in this jurisdiction? Click here for the JET Program's national recruitment scheduleOpen a new window, or e-mail to the JET desk in Los Angeles at JET@ls.mofa.go.jp to arrange a Zoom consultation. Consultations are subject to availability and must be scheduled at least 2 business days in advance. 

 

Event  Date  Time Location/Registration

Mt. San Antonio College
Information Session
Sep. 25  3:30pm-4:30pm Handled by the University
University of Arizona 
Virtual Information Session
Sep. 29 4:00pm-5:00pm Zoom
Handled by the University
Northern Arizona University
Virtual Information Session
Sep. 30 4:00pm-5:00pm  Zoom
Handled by the University
LMU
Information Session

Oct. 3  
 
12:15pm-14:30pm

Handled by the University

CSU Long Beach
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 6 3:30pm-4:30pm Zoom
Handled by the University
Virtual Information Session Oct.7 1:30pm-2:30pm
 
Zoom
Advance registration is required for attendance.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WNrfsDUHR_2rIbkqaC70uQ
Everyone Welcomed!
University of Arizona 
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 7 3:00pm-4:00pm Zoom
Handled by the University
University of Redlands-
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 7 6:30pm-7:30pm Zoom
Handled by the University
San Diego State University
Information Session
Oct. 9 2:00pm-3:00pm Handled by the University
UC San Diego -
Career Fair 
Oct. 9 10:00am-4:00pm UC San Diego, LionTree Arena
UC San Diego
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 10 3:00pm-4:00pm Zoom
Handled by the University
UCLA Career Fair Oct. 14 3:00pm-7:00pm UCLA
Cypress College 
Culture Festival 
Oct. 16 12:00pm-5:00pm Cypress College 
Virtual Information Session TBD   Zoom
Advance registration is required for attendance.

Everyone Welcomed!
CSU San Bernardino 
Information Session
Oct. 21 12:00pm-1:00pm Handled by the University
UC Santa Barbara  
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 23 2:30pm-3:45pm Zoom
UC Santa Barbara Students Only 
Soka University
Virtual Information Session
TBD    
Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo
Virtual Information Session
Oct. 23 4:30pm-5:30pm Zoom
Cal Poly SLO Students and Alumni Only
Virtual Application Workshop TBD   Zoom 
Advance registration is required for attendance.

Everyone Welcomed!
 Virtual Application Workshop TBD   Zoom 
Advance registration is required for attendance.

Everyone Welcomed!

JET Alumni Association of Southern California & Arizona (JETAASC)

JETAASC Logo

There is life after JET! When you return to the United States, you can look forward to joining an organization filled with people who truly appreciate your experiences. JETAA is a support group and network for both recent returnees and JET alumni that have been back for a while. JETAA organizes social events, career informational and networking forums, and opportunities to assist the Consulate as speakers and interviewers with its recruitment and selection of new JETs. The networking is especially worthwhile since many of JETAA members work as educators and in Japanese companies and organizations in Southern California and Arizona.


Visit the JETAASC Official HomepageOpen a new window for more information and to join!