Learn about life as a JET through the experiences of three JET Programme participants. This video showcases the roles of ALT (Assistant Language Teacher), CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) and SEA (Sports Exchange Advisor) participants through a day in the life of Niigata City ALT Shanisa, Ichinomiya City CIR Alice, and Higashikawa Town SEA Alexander.

The post “JET Experiences”, a video showcasing three JETs and their roles on the JET Programme. appeared first on JET Programme.

To the new JET participants, we hope you will utilize what you have learned at the orientation to play an active role in your placement, and have a fruitful stay in Japan as well!

Opening Ceremony of the April 2018 Post-Arrival Orientation

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The Grand Prize winner will receive a travel voucher worth 100,000 Japanese yen and there are Runner-Up Prizes, the Best Idea Award, the PR Award, and other special awards.

We are eagerly awaiting your submissions. For further information, please visit the following page:
https://jetprogramme.org/en/info/jvc2017app/

Eligibility: Current and former JET Programme participants
Contents for Submission: A three-minute video showcasing the charm of Japan’s localities as seen by JETs
Awards: Gift certificates will be awarded to the winners of the Grand Prize, the Runner-Up Prizes, the Best Idea Award, the PR Award, and other special awards.
For further enquiries please contact the following email address: jetvideocontest@gmail.com

The post Deadline for JET Programme Video Contest 2017 Approaching (Thu., 30 November) appeared first on JET Programme.

Last year, to commemorate the JET Programme’s 30th Anniversary, CLAIR hosted a commemorative ceremony and reception and initiated the 30th Anniversary projects, the ‘JET Programme Video Contest’ and the ‘JET Arigato Campaign’, where JET participants and alumni showcased the charms of Japan’s local regions and broadcast messages of thanks to the JET Programme and those in the JET community.

A great number of people from around the world who are affiliated with the JET Programme participated in these events and projects, and 2016 became a wonderful chance to reflect back on the 30 years of history and the accomplishments of the JET Programme.

Wanting to share the results of these commemorative events, CLAIR has added new pages to our website where visitors can view footage of the commemorative ceremony and submissions to the JET Programme Video Contest and JET Arigato Campaign. You can find footage and reports of each project at the following pages.

1. JET Programme 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony
2. JET Programme Video Contest
3. JET Arigato Campaign

The post JET Programme 30th Anniversary Page Now Available appeared first on JET Programme.

Around 720 current and former JET Programme participants, local government staff, and members of other related parties attended the ceremony. With so many contributors to the JET Programme in attendance, the ceremony served as an opportunity for the JET community to reflect on the programme’s 30 year history and its many contributions to society.

In his opening address, Chair of the Board of Directors at CLAIR, Mr. Tamotsu Okamoto, stated ‘JET Programme participants have formed strong ties with people in regions all over Japan, and performed a vital role in supporting the country. After their time on the programme comes to an end, many continue to work as bridges between Japan and the rest of the world, putting their experiences to use in various fields in their own countries, from government agencies to Japanese companies… This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter and we strive to contribute to a better future for Japan and the rest of the world’.

As a first ever endeavour to make the voices of the key players in the Programme’s success, the JET alumni and current JET participants, made known to the whole world, a “JET Declaration” was also presented at the ceremony. The Declaration sought to reflect on the success of the Programme over its 30 years as well as project a vision for its future.

Ryan Hata (National AJET), representing current JET participants, and Kwon Joohyun (JETAA South Korea), representing the JET alumni community, presented the declaration at the ceremony, saying ‘As more and more Japanese companies look to expand their reach globally and adopt an international approach, it is more important than ever that JETs do their best to prepare their students and colleagues for a more multicultural Japan. We hope to continue working with the Japanese government to further improve the ability of current and former JETs to support Japan’s efforts, thus strengthening the country’s capacity to engage effectively with the rest of the world’.

CLAIR plans to report the results of the commemorative ceremony, JET Arigato Campaign, JET Video Contest, and other 30th Anniversary related projects in detail on our website soon.

The post JET Programme 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony appeared first on JET Programme.

As part of CLAIR’s efforts to support JET participants in their future career endeavours, and to increase awareness among companies in Japan about the excellent, global-minded, multilingual talent among JET Programme participants, CLAIR initiated its first full-scale internship programme over two periods in August and September of this year.

The internship programme was very well received by both JET participants and companies involved.

CLAIR will continue to proactively engage in career support initiatives for JET Programme participants looking to work in Japan after JET.

2016 JET Internship Programme Summary

Internship Period

August: Monday, 1 August – Friday, 5 August 2016 [5 days]
September: Monday, 5 September – Friday, 9 September 2016 [5 days]

Requirements for Participation

• Applicants must be current JET Programme Participants who will be in their 3rd to 5th year as of August 2016
• Advanced level of Japanese language ability（Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N2 or above)

Number of Participants and Companies

• JET Participants　　August: 13, September:17, Total: 30
• Companies　August: 9 companies, September: 12 companies, Total:17 companies（with 4 companies participating in both internship periods）

Comments From Participants

• “Participating in the internship programme was a great opportunity to learn business manners and how to speak charismatically.”
• “I think the programme is an excellent opportunity for JET participants considering working in Japan.”
• “It was a great experience. There are many things I discovered that I would not have learned if I had not had a work experience at a Japanese company.”
• “I am really satisfied that I was able to experience a different daily routine in a different work environment.”

Comments From Companies

• “Participating in the internship programme helped us create an internal guideline for hiring foreign personnel at our company.”
• “We had excellent interns, and they had a positive influence on all the staff they worked with.”
• “Not only did the interns already have a command of keigo (polite Japanese) and an understanding of office dress code and business manners, we saw our interns being proactive, asking questions when they had them and doing their best at the work they were involved in.”
• “Our company is moving quickly to globalise its operations, and facilitating communication with foreigners is critical. Participating in the internship programme aided us in addressing this issue.”
• “There was no financial burden on our company when participating in the programme, so it was relatively easy to take in interns.”
• “JET participants are quite a different group when compared to foreign students studying in Japan. We think this internship programme will have a social impact in Japan by establishing a new perspective for companies that hire foreigners.”

The post CLAIR’s First Full-Scale JET Internship Programme Comes to a Close appeared first on JET Programme.

Notice about the JET Programme Video Contest (Spring/Summer Edition)

CLAIR is holding a video contest aimed at promoting the charm and appeal of Japan’s local communities as seen through the eyes of JET participants. We will award the winners of the best videos at the Autumn 2016 JET Programme 30th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony with a certificate, a medal, and other prizes, such as domestic travel vouchers worth up to ¥ 100,000!

Submission period:
Thursday 7 April, 2016 – Wednesday 10 August, 2016

To submit your videos and read more information about the contest’s rules, check out the following website:

The post Notice about the JET Programme Video Contest (Spring/Summer Edition) appeared first on JET Programme.

In preparation for the celebration of the JET Programme 30th Anniversary in 2016, 12 JET Programme alumni from around the world returned to Japan in Monday, 9 November, 2015 – Friday, 13 November, 2015 to participant in the JET Programme Alumni Satogaeri Project.

A “JET Alumni Global Forum,” co-hosted by CLAIR, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, Sports, Science, and Technology, was held concurrently with the project.

At the forum, the 12 Satogaeri participants, representatives of the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) chapters of Japan, and representatives of the Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (AJET) gathered to have a lively discussion regarding initiatives for the 30th Anniversary, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Rugby World Cup.

Afterwards, the 12 Satogaeri participants returned to their former places of employment in Japan to reunite with old friends and coworkers, strengthen their ties with the community, and promote the charms of Japan’s local regions to the world.

You can see more of the Satogaeri Project at the following SNS channels:

Facebook （https://www.facebook.com/JETsatogaeri/）
・　Twitter (@JET_Satogaeri)
・　Instagram (jet_satogaeri)

Here is a list of the Satogaeri participants and their former places of employment on the JET Programme.

The post JET Programme Alumni Satogaeri Project appeared first on JET Programme.

In rememberance of the 5th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, with the collaboration of Sendai City, CLAIR held a panel discussion with JET participants living in the Tohoku region during 11 March, 2011, and a screening of Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story.

The post 5 Years On From the Great East Japan Earthquake ～ Experiences of JET Participants appeared first on JET Programme.

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