| THE JAPAN EXCHANGE and TEACHING PROGRAM |
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The Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program invites
young college and university graduates from overseas
to participate in international exchange and foreign
language education throughout Japan as Assistant Language
Teachers (ALTs) and Coordinators for International
Relations (CIRs). The program is co-sponsored by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science & Technology; the Ministry
of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
and local governments throughout Japan, in cooperation
with the Council of Local Authorities for International
Relations (CLAIR).
Begun in 1987 with fewer than 1,000
participants, the JET Program has grown tremendously. Today,
the
program is one of Japan's largest cultural exchange
programs, with over 4,500 participants taking part
in the program this year from 38 countries. Nearly
half of these participants are from the United States.
Participants are invited
to Japan as representatives of their home countries, and play
an important role in promoting mutual understanding between nations.
Although no prior teaching experience and no prior Japanese-language
skills are necessary (for the ALT position), successful JET Program
applicants must have a strong sense of responsibility, a genuine
interest in learning about Japan, and must be able to adapt to
a different culture and new situations.
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