JET Program
- Application & Interview Timeline
- Recruitment--Information Sessions
- JET Alumni Association of Southern California
For complete information about the JET Program and to apply, please visit the Official JET Program Website for U.S. Citizens.
If you are NOT a U.S. citizen, please check this page and to find the Embassy of Japan website of the country in which you hold citizenship.
About


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 here to find and contact the Embassy of Japan in the country to which you hold citizenship for JET Program information.
Application & Interview Timeline
September 24, 2024 |
Applications will be made available through the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. |
October - November |
|
November 15, 2024 |
Application deadline
|
Early February 2025 |
Interviews |
March 2025 |
Notification of results |
May 2025 |
Placement notification, Visa Processing |
June-July 2025 |
Orientation & Reception, Departure |
JET Recruiting Events in Fall 2024
The JET Program will continue to offer virtual and in-person recruitment and application workshop sessions in 2024. 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 schedule, 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 |
---|---|---|---|
LMU - JET Program Information Session |
Sep. 27 |
13:30pm-14:30pm |
Handled by the University |
JET Program Virtual Information Session | Oct. 1 | 2:00pm-3:00pm | Zoom Advance registration is required for attendance. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcofuiuqzIoGtKesCYolsT39teNT-UMHHxh Everyone Welcomed! |
Northern Arizona University - Virtual JET Program Information Session | Oct. 1 | 4:00pm-5:00pm | Handled by the University |
UC Irvine - Career Fair |
Oct. 3 | 10:00pm-2:00pm | UC Irvine, Ring Road |
UC San Diego - Career Fair |
Oct. 10 | 10:00am-4:00pm | UC San Diego, LionTree Arena |
CSU Fullerton- Studay Aboard Fair | Oct. 16 | 10:00am-2:00pm | CSU Fullerton |
CSU Long Beach -Career Fair | Oct. 17 | 12:00pm-4:00pm | CSU Long beach |
JET Program Virtual Information Session | Oct. 11 | 12:00pm- 2:00pm | Zoom Advance registration is required for attendance. Everyone Welcomed! |
University of Redlands- Virtual JET Program Information Session |
Oct. 18 | 4:30pm-5:30pm | Zoom University of Redlands Students Only |
UC Santa Barbara - Virtual JET Program Information Session | Oct. 22 | 14:30pm-16:00pm | Zoom UC Santa Barbara Students Only |
Soka University | Oct. 24 | 5:30pm-7:00pm | Zoom Soka Students and Alumni Only |
CSU Long Beach - Virtual JET Program Information Session | Oct. 28 | 3:30pm-4:30pm | Zoom CSULB Students and Alumuni Only |
Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo- Virtual JET Program Information Session | Nov. 4, 5, 6 | Zoom Cal Poly SLO Students and Alumni Only |
|
Virtual Application Workshop | Nov. 5 | 3:00pm-4:00pm | Zoom Advance registration is required for attendance. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdeGsqj8qH9Tz54TmoqDE3YmFiB8EZyOz Everyone Welcomed! |
Virtual Application Workshop | Nov. 7 | 12:00pm-1:30pm | Zoom Advance registration is required for attendance. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUuf-6oqjkoHdBFGyT5FTITR0l1iqCccCrr Everyone Welcomed! |
JET Alumni Association of Southern California & Arizona (JETAASC)

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 Homepage for more information and to join!