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.

Connect with the JET Program on Facebook -- click here!

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, which enters its 40th 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.

The JET Program will continue to offer virtual and in-person recruitment and application workshop sessions in 2026. 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.