Are there fewer people applying this year?

[GusVIII]

I went to the JET information session in Chicago both this year and last year. Last year's session was packed, but when I went again a couple of weeks ago I noticed less than half the number of people when compared to the previous year. Did anyone else notice anything similar at the other sessions around the country?

[Gekishinken]

I wouldn't be surprised if the whole earthquake/tsunami/nuclear trifecta impacts the number of applicants this year. Especially since recovery is still ongoing and as far as I know Fukushima is still spewing radiation (albeit less each day).

I actually noticed something similar. There was a JET info session at my university (30,000 students, major state university) that I went to both this and last year. Last year there were probably 40 people there. This year there were around half that, and of those 20 this year only 5 were seniors.

[merkypie]

I wouldn't doubt it, to be quiet honest. Considering the current scare is that Japan is a nuclear wasteland and that Japan has been wiped off the face of the planet, I seriously wouldn't doubt potential applicants backing out of applying this year. You know, those casual applicants that really don't care about going to Japan but simply want to do it for an experience.

I remember that the forums last year were really active with applicants, especially when I go back to find some information. Now, the forums are pretty dead. It's interesting...

The embassy doesn't visit my school for JET informational sessions so I really don't have any real world numbers to compare.

[randomguy]

I've been wondering about this, too. I think after the results are out, I'll be interested in checking back on the numbers. There'll also be that compounded with an already declining participation rate, too - the peak participation had been a little after the turn of the century (cumulative total), and it's dipped a bit since then. (edit: although that doesn't really say much about the applicant pool)

[AVN]

I think that we might also see a drop in numbers due to the new salary. It will make a lot of people reconsider the lengthy process and rural placements.
Especially the people who just in it for a "free trip" (and I know they're real, and that they do actually get in over good applicants sometimes).

[GriffN]

It's hard to say. There may be fewer casual applicants this year. But I doubt the disaster from earlier in the year is going to daunt anyone who really wants to be in JET. All the news coverage could have made potential applicants more sensitive to anything about Japan, so some people may look into JET when they otherwise wouldn't have taken the time. In an odd way it makes me want to go more, so I can be closer to my Japanese friends.

Of course, there are other factors. The program is generally shrinking, and the salary changes aren't going to attract more candidates. On the other hand, the economy is pretty crappy in the US, and the yen has made significant gains on the dollar in the past decade. But that's compounded by the poor state of Japan's economy, and I imagine programs like JET would be high on the list of things to cut...

On a side note, all of my ALT friends have been getting tons of pressure from their families to come home. This could translate into fewer JETs recontracting this year --> more new candidates accepted. But who knows.

One way or another, it's still going to be a competitive year.

[AVN]

It's hard to say. There may be fewer casual applicants this year. But I doubt the disaster from earlier in the year is going to daunt anyone who really wants to be in JET. All the news coverage could have made potential applicants more sensitive to anything about Japan, so some people may look into JET when they otherwise wouldn't have taken the time. In an odd way it makes me want to go more, so I can be closer to my Japanese friends.

Of course, there are other factors. The program is generally shrinking, and the salary changes aren't going to attract more candidates. On the other hand, the economy is pretty crappy in the US, and the yen has made significant gains on the dollar in the past decade. But that's compounded by the poor state of Japan's economy, and I imagine programs like JET would be high on the list of things to cut...

On a side note, all of my ALT friends have been getting tons of pressure from their families to come home. This could translate into fewer JETs recontracting this year --> more new candidates accepted. But who knows.

One way or another, it's still going to be a competitive year.

Interesting as most of the ALTs I know stopped being pressured months ago. I feel bad for those still being pressured all these months later when they're obviously not going anywhere.

[GriffN]

Interesting as most of the ALTs I know stopped being pressured months ago. I feel bad for those still being pressured all these months later when they're obviously not going anywhere.

Yeah, some especially controlling/worrisome parents. At this point, most of them have decided to stay out of spite The others are going to finish the contract year and go home.

[Namisuke]

I think there will be fewer people applying and looking for more secure jobs with the way the economy is, especially now. I think fewer people in America with jobs will be less likely to let them go for JET. I only had the opportunity to come here because of the lack of full-time jobs in my hometown in Canada.

The new salary scale is still a great salary if given post tax, especially for a starting job as an assistant. I am able to save a heck of a lot more money here than I did in Canada because of inflated rental fees and taxes. ESID though.

The earthquake likely swayed some away from the job, but soon people will forget about it and will apply in years to come. Things are moving along quickly in devestated areas. Maybe due to some efforts from ALTs around Japan, our reputation kept our jobs! That is my hope, at least.

I think things will eventually bump back up. Even if JET is lost, there are still tons of English teaching jobs in Japan and elsewhere abroad.

[AVN]

I think there will be fewer people applying and looking for more secure jobs with the way the economy is, especially now. I think fewer people in America with jobs will be less likely to let them go for JET. I only had the opportunity to come here because of the lack of full-time jobs in my hometown in Canada.

The new salary scale is still a great salary if given post tax, especially for a starting job as an assistant. I am able to save a heck of a lot more money here than I did in Canada because of inflated rental fees and taxes. ESID though.

The earthquake likely swayed some away from the job, but soon people will forget about it and will apply in years to come. Things are moving along quickly in devestated areas. Maybe due to some efforts from ALTs around Japan, our reputation kept our jobs! That is my hope, at least.

I think things will eventually bump back up. Even if JET is lost, there are still tons of English teaching jobs in Japan and elsewhere abroad.

Sadly the new salary scale is pre-tax.

[Siyris]

Even if the new salary is pre-tax it's still huge for a first time job out of college... with what I'm getting right now I'm saving over $1000 a month.... and I'm earning (after tax and converted at the current rate of 78 yen per dollar) about 42K a year.. that's unheard of for someone fresh out of college... and even if the salary went down hugely (I'm talking about making it 32k a year... that's 10k less) it would still be a VERY profitable job for someone just graduated.

However, I think that people are probably thinking a bit harder about Japan right now (Though I still say it's okay -- they will not place JETs into the JETs own country's designated danger zone) and at least in America, people are less likely to give up jobs in order to go overseas with the economy where it is.

[KaitouK]

For me, I currently have a stable job that makes a little over $2k more a year than the current JET pay scale (given current exchange rates) as it is a government job. I'm applying because it is something I've wanted to do for quite some time but was unable to in the past for various reasons.

You know, those casual applicants that really don't care about going to Japan but simply want to do it for an experience.

I don't think I consider myself a casual applicant, but I do want to go to experience Japan. The prospect of meeting new people in Japan and other JETs from around the world is exciting to say the least. I also feel it is a way to challenge myself, expand my view of the world, and grow as a person. I'll be 31 in January and not participating in the program is something I don't want to regret later on, if that makes any sense.

I still think there will be plenty of applicants to fill the gaps. I don't think they have had the "early departure" option in past years, so it does seem concerning that they feel the need to open that option, as if they are expecting many to drop out partway through the year. I guess only time will tell. Either way, I'm excited to apply and have the chance to participate in such a program.

[merkypie]

It's hard to say. There may be fewer casual applicants this year. But I doubt the disaster from earlier in the year is going to daunt anyone who really wants to be in JET. All the news coverage could have made potential applicants more sensitive to anything about Japan, so some people may look into JET when they otherwise wouldn't have taken the time. In an odd way it makes me want to go more, so I can be closer to my Japanese friends.

Of course, there are other factors. The program is generally shrinking, and the salary changes aren't going to attract more candidates. On the other hand, the economy is pretty crappy in the US, and the yen has made significant gains on the dollar in the past decade. But that's compounded by the poor state of Japan's economy, and I imagine programs like JET would be high on the list of things to cut...

On a side note, all of my ALT friends have been getting tons of pressure from their families to come home. This could translate into fewer JETs recontracting this year --> more new candidates accepted. But who knows.

One way or another, it's still going to be a competitive year.

There's definitely no doubt that this will be a competitive year. There's hundreds and hundreds of die hard anime, manga, game, and culture enthusiasts out there that will definitely bring competition. Not to mention a lot of them aren't really considering the remuneration and/or other factors that may dissuade a lot of other potential applicants from applying.

I don't know if the tragedy will make some "sensitive" to the problem in Japan. I think its split between those who want to help/sympathetic and those who are flat out afraid of the nuclear situation in the country. Couple that with worrisome families and that can definitely lighten the pool of applicants a bit. I do agree that there are other factors, such as the remuneration which could probably be the biggest factor. Remuneration is higher than a dispatch company but not that much and some may just sign up with a dispatch. They'll have a better chance of getting where they want to go and the pay won't be as less than compared to an actual first year JET.

I don't think I consider myself a casual applicant, but I do want to go to experience Japan. The prospect of meeting new people in Japan and other JETs from around the world is exciting to say the least. I also feel it is a way to challenge myself, expand my view of the world, and grow as a person. I'll be 31 in January and not participating in the program is something I don't want to regret later on, if that makes any sense.

I guess by "casual applicant", I meant those who really aren't interested in Japan. The travel bugs; the people that just like adventure and aren't really that hard up to get to Japan. It's just an adventure to check off of their bucket lists.

[Namisuke]

I see they recently formally posted the new remuneration information on the JET site. The wage might not attract professional teachers, but it is still okay for those with their basic degree. This change likely saved the Programme, and hopefully it will bounce back in the future. If you are looking for better wages and want to save money, you can try applying to JES (James English School) or the Westgate Corporation (although that is a short term job). There are also some positions with Interac that pay slightly more than this new JET wage, but you have to keep a good eye on their site. Most other jobs I found when researching alternatives to JET paid approximately between 200,000 and 250,000 yen per month. You can search "Alternatives to JET" to find a chart I made about 2 years ago.

The JET Programme was TOO competitive in previous years and a decrease was just going to be natural. I don't know why there was a huge spike in applicants when I applied (Americans had over 5300 applicants in 2010, I believe). It was likely the economy, but I think more people are holding fast to what they have now.

[JasonB91]

When I attended my session at university there were like 7 of us. I think they expected 20+.