The Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (AJET) is an independent, self-supporting volunteer organisation that represents JET participants. Comprised of current JET participants, AJET is the sole representative body for JET participants and works collaboratively with the JET Programme administrators in various ways including providing support and information to JET participants as well as assisting with conferences and orientations.

National AJET’s primary role is to represent the opinions and concerns of the JET community as a whole. This is done through biannual meetings with the sponsors of the JET Programme, specifically the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). AJET also organises workshops and activities at the conferences held by CLAIR.

In addition to this, National AJET offers a number of services to help support JET participants in their lives in Japan. The AJET Peer Support Group (PSG) is a confidential listening and resource line for JET participants. Staffed by trained volunteers, the line is open from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. every night, a period when other similar services are unavailable.

National AJET also produces a number of publications that are available for purchase. The most popular of these, Planet Eigo, is a bilingual publication that contains a large number of teaching ideas and games for all levels of English education. National AJET also offers Foxy Phonics, which is dedicated to teaching the phonics of English. Both of these publications are suitable for new and experienced teachers alike. For further information on AJET publications, please contact resources@ajet.net

AJET is organised into two distinct levels, each with their own specific roles and duties: National AJET and local AJET chapters. National AJET serves as the communication nexus for all the various AJET groups. National AJET is comprised of officers who are elected by the entire JET community and serve for one year. These officers consist of three executives who administer AJET, 11 block representatives who are responsible for their home prefecture and several neighbouring prefectures as well as serve as liaison between National AJET and local AJET chapters in their area, a CIR representative, and other posts. In addition, there are several appointed officers who supervise various National AJET initiatives. Local AJET chapters operate under the umbrella of National AJET and provide support, organise events, and keep JET participants informed of issues affecting them on a local level.

>> AJET Website: http://www.ajet.net