JET Programme Internship – FAQ

For more details on the internship, please see the Internship Page.

Eligibility

I have the Japanese ability to pass the JLPT level N2 test, but I have not taken the test so far. Can I still apply to the internship?: Yes. Although certification of your Japanese ability is not mandatory, participants must have at
least the JLPT level N2 or equivalent Japanese proficiency and be able to perform duties in
Japanese.
I am a current JET participant now, but my appointment will end in August. Can I participate in the internship?: Unfortunately, only current JET participants who have re-contracted for the year following their participation in the internships are eligible. (ie: Those eligible for the 2024 Internship Programme have been re-contracted as a JET participant through the spring/summer of 2025.)
I have other mandatory work duties during the internship period, so I can only participate for some of the days. Can I still apply?: Unfortunately this is not possible. Only JET participants who can participate for the entirety of the internship period can apply.

Work Regulations

Do I need to use paid leave to participate?: In principle, participation in the internship is not considered part of a JET participant’s
regular work duties, so participants must use paid leave. Please consult with your contracting
organisation regarding this matter.

Interview

Can we submit preferences for the date/time of our interview?: Yes. Applicants who pass the first round of screening will be consulted regarding their preference
for interview times. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet everyone’s requests,
so we ask for your cooperation and understanding.
Will the interview be in Japanese?: The interview will primarily be in Japanese. Details regarding the interview will be sent to
participants who pass the first round of screening.

Placements

Can I choose the company at which I intern?: Once the participants have been finalized, they will be able to submit their preferences. However, while these preferences will be taken into consideration as much as possible, it is not guaranteed that participants will be placed at a company which they requested.
What kind of companies will participate in the internship?: The companies participating in the 2024 internship will be finalized by June 24th, 2024, at which time their information will be sent to the applicants who pass the first round of screening.
In past years, companies from a wide variety of industries have participated, including information and communication, wholesale and retail, education, and manufacturing.
To see the companies which participated in 2023, please refer to “Participating Companies” here:
https://jetprogramme.org/jetinternship/

Other

What should I do regarding transportation and accommodations during the internship?: Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation and
accommodations.
Do I have the chance of being hired by the company I intern at after I finish the JET Programme?: The JET Internship Programme was conceived as a work-experience for JET participants to attain a
better understanding of the kinds of global personnel Japanese companies and organisations are
seeking and reexamine their professional aspirations for the benefit of their own job-searching
activities after finishing the JET Programme. In general, the internship programme does not have the
objective of introducing participants to potential employers.
How many interns are accepted each year?: This depends on both the number of participating companies and the number of interns they each request, both of which vary year to year.
For the 2024 internship, the number of interns requested will be finalized by June 24.
For reference, in the 2023 internship, there were 27 participating companies and a total of 58 interns requested.