2026 JET Program Pre-Departure Orientation & Reception
2026/8/6
Keynote speech and JET Alumni Association presentation by JETAANC President Ms. Melissa Golden
Pre-Departure presentation by NTA representative Ms. Yuko Oku
On Friday, July 31, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco held a Pre-Departure Orientation for the 70 new participants of the 2026 JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program). The orientation was followed by a farewell reception hosted by Consul General Kotaro Otsuki at his official residence. In his remarks, Consul General Otsuki encouraged the JETs to see every experience as an opportunity for greater insight and to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
On Saturday, August 1, most of the JET participants left San Francisco for Japan, and will travel to their designated prefectures after a 3-day orientation in Tokyo. A smaller group of JETs will depart in the following months.
The JET Program is run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations for globalization of Japan at the grassroots level. The program invites young professionals from overseas to work in foreign language education and international exchange at schools, municipal offices, and boards of education across Japan. Since its foundation in 1987, more than 80,000 participants from over 70 countries have participated in and worked for the program as Assistant Language Teachers, Coordinators for International Relations, or Sport Exchange Advisors.
Further information on the JET Program is available on the JET Program USA Website.
On Saturday, August 1, most of the JET participants left San Francisco for Japan, and will travel to their designated prefectures after a 3-day orientation in Tokyo. A smaller group of JETs will depart in the following months.
The JET Program is run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations for globalization of Japan at the grassroots level. The program invites young professionals from overseas to work in foreign language education and international exchange at schools, municipal offices, and boards of education across Japan. Since its foundation in 1987, more than 80,000 participants from over 70 countries have participated in and worked for the program as Assistant Language Teachers, Coordinators for International Relations, or Sport Exchange Advisors.
Further information on the JET Program is available on the JET Program USA Website.
JET Program participants discussing goals in Japan
Consul General Otsuki welcoming the participants to the reception
Outbound JET representative Ms. Hannah Juang
JETAANC Board Chair Ms. Arisa Takahashi giving remarks before the toast
JET alum with 2026 departing JETs
Group photo
