The eligibility criteria for participation on the JET Programme are determined by the three Ministries that oversee JET. Below is a list of the basic requirements that an applicant must fulfil in order to join the JET Programme and come to Japan as either an ALT, CIR or SEA. (See Positions)
1. Be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of that interest after arrival.
2. Be both mentally and physically healthy.
3. Have the ability to adapt to living and office conditions in Japan.
4. Obey all Japanese laws.
5. Be a citizen (not just a permanent resident) of the country where the recruitment and selection procedures take place. (Those who possess dual citizenship with Japan must renounce their Japanese citizenship before the date for submission of the JET Programme Reply Form.) Applicants who have dual citizenship may only apply in ONE country.
6. In principle, be under forty years of age (as of April 1st, 2008). One of the main purposes of the programme is to foster exchange between Japanese youth and young professionals from the countries participating in the programme.
7. Have excellent pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and voice projection skills in the designated language (See Note 1) in addition to other standard language skills. Have good writing skills and grammar usage.
8. Have not participated in the JET Programme since 1998.
9. Not have declined a position on the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the last JET Programme year. However, exceptions to this rule may be made in cases where it is determined that the participant has a valid, unavoidable reason for withdrawing.
10. Not have lived in Japan for three or more years in total since 2000.
11. In the case of entry into Japan for the participation in the JET Programme, agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
12. Be interested in the Japanese educational system and particularly in the Japanese way of teaching foreign languages.
13. Be interested in actively working with students.
14. Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or obtain one by the departure date (See Note 2), or be qualified to teach at primary/elementary or secondary schools or obtain such qualifications by the departure date.
15. Be qualified as a language teacher or be strongly motivated to take part in the teaching of foreign languages (See Note 2).
16. Successful applicants are expected to make an effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.
17. In addition to the above, applicants from non-English speaking countries must:
Have a functional command of the English or Japanese language.
Notes:
1. In the case of English speaking countries this is English, for France it is French, for Germany and Austria it is German, for China it is Chinese, for Korea it is Korean, and for other non-English speaking countries it is the principal language spoken in that country.
2. Each Japanese Embassy and Consulate conducting JET applications in all participating countries other than China, Korea, Brazil and Peru is assigned to either Group A or B. Arrival dates in Japan for 2008 are set as: Group A-July 27 / Group B-August 3.
