Embassy of Japan in New Zealand

日本国国旗

在ニュージーランド日本国大使館
Embassy of Japan is also accredited to Niue| Cook Islands

The Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Programme

UP-TO-DATE NEWS VIA FACEBOOK, @JETProgrammeNZ

 

About The JET Programme

JET Programme

Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, or JET Programme, seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between the people of Japan and those of other nations. The Programme aims to enhance foreign language education and promote international exchange at the local level through the fostering of ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth alike.

The objectives of the Programme are being achieved by offering JET Programme participants the opportunity to serve in local authorities as well as public and private elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Japan. The Programme is implemented by local authorities and other organisations (or Contracting Organisations) who appoint Participants in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

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General Enquiries

Questions relating to the JET Programme in New Zealand are welcome at any of the below Consular and Embassy offices, but all applications must be submitted to the Japan Information & Cultural Centre, Embassy of Japan in Wellington. Please feel free to contact the below offices with any JET Programme queries whatsoever.

AUCKLAND
Tel: (09) 303-4106 Email: info-cul@ac.mofa.go.jp

WELLINGTON
Japan Information & Cultural Centre, Embassy of Japan, Level 18 The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 6340, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Attn: JET Officer Tel: (04) 495-8333 Email: jicc@wl.mofa.go.jp

CHRISTCHURCH
Tel: (03) 366-5680 Email: cultural.chc@wl.mofa.go.jp

 

2023 NZ JET Programme Guidelines & Application Form
(For New Zealand Naturalised Citizens Only)

Applications for the 2023 JET Programme are now CLOSED. The information below is for reference only.

WARNING: Applications that do not adhere to the below instructions and guidelines may be disregarded.

  1. Download the "2023 JET Programme Application Guidelines ". READ THEM THROUGH COMPLETELY.

  2. Download and complete the "2023 JET Programme Application Form " in the free Adobe Reader according to the " Instructions for Filling out the Application Form ".
    - Do NOT use any PDF viewers or editors other than Adobe Reader
    - Most questions on the Application Form are compulsory. If the required form highlight mode is not already visible, from the EDIT bar, choose PREFERENCES, then FORMS, then check "SHOW BORDER HOVER COLOR FOR FIELDS".
    - Please ensure you use Adobe Reader version 10 or above to complete this form. Do NOT use 'Preview Mode' in an internet browser to complete the form. You will be unable to save your progress.

  3. Save the PDF Application Form on to your computer, and send it as an e-mail attachment to " jet@wl.mofa.go.jp " with "2023 JET Programme Application" as the subject. Do not use the "submit" function on the adobe form.
    Please note that this digital Application Form does not require a signature at this stage.

  4. Confirm that you receive an automated out-of-office response email. If you do not receive this email, please call (04) 495-8333.
    Please note that submitting your PDF Application Form via email is only the first step of the application process, and all below steps must be completed in order to be considered as a finished application for the 2023 JET Programme!

  5. Print out your completed Application Form PDF (single-sided), hand-sign it in pen, and follow further instructions as stated in the "2023 JET Programme Application Guidelines", pages 4, 10 & 11.
    You will need to assemble your COMPLETE physical Application Pack in compliance with the Guidelines.

  6. Make sure that you read CAREFULLY over "Application Procedures" (page 4 of the Guidelines) and "Applicants' Checklist" (pages 10 & 11 of the Guidelines) before you submit your Application Pack.

  7. Please ensure all answers are clearly legible when printed out (i.e. that all text is contained within the borders of the answer boxes, and the font size is not too small).

  8. All completed Application Packs MUST ARRIVE PHYSICALLY at the Japan Information and Cultural Centre, Embassy of Japan in Wellington, New Zealand by 5:00pm NZST, Monday 5 December 2022, either by post, courier, or hand-delivery.
    This deadline will be STRICTLY OBSERVED, and late applications will NOT be accepted. Early applications are appreciated.

 

OTHER APPLICATION DOCUMENTS:

  • Statement of Physician - ONLY IF you currently have, or have ever had any physical or mental condition or illness.

 

2023 JET Programme New Zealand Calendar

Calendar Date ALT/CIR
Early Arrivals		 ALT/CIR
July/August ("Summer") Arrivals		 SEA (TBC Pending 2023 Requests)
September 2022 Applications OPEN Applications OPEN  
5pm Monday 5th December 2022 APPLICATIONS CLOSE APPLICATIONS CLOSE  
December 2022-January 2023 First stage of screening process (written applications) First stage of screening process (written applications)  
January 2023 Notification of interview Notification of interview Applications open
January-Early February 2023 Second stage of screening process (interviews) Second stage of screening process (interviews)  
March 2023 Announcement of status, Notification of successful selection and placement Announcement of status (short-list, reserve or unsuccessful) Applications close, First stage of screening process
April 2023 Arrival in Japan for April arrivals    
April 2023 onwards Arrival in Japan for Early arrivals   Second stage of screening process (interviews)
May 2023   Notification of successful placement/assignment  
June-July 2023   Pre-departure orientation (COMPULSORY), Submission of passport for visa application Notification of status, selection, and placement
Late July - Early August 2023   Travel from New Zealand to Japan Travel from New Zealand to Japan
Early August 2023   Start of contract and Tokyo Orientation Start of contract and Tokyo Orientation

NOTE: Reserves (Alternates) for the JET Programme can receive notice of being upgraded to shortlist status at any time between May 2023 until early December 2023.

 

2023 JET Programme New Zealand Presentations

Information sessions for the 2023 cycle are now finished.

Upper North Island Information Sessions
University of Waikato Wednesday 21st September 2022
Auckland University of Technology CANCELLED Monday 26th September 2022
University of Auckland (In-person and ONLINE) Tuesday 27th September 2022

Lower North Island Information Sessions
Victoria Univeristy of Wellington Wednesday 21st September 2022
Massey University (Manawatu) Friday 30th September 2022
IPU New Zealand Tertiary Institute Friday 30th September 2022
Embassy of Japan, Wellington (In-person and ONLINE) Wednesday 5th October 2022

South Island Information Sessions
University of Otago Wednesday 14th September 2022
University of Canterbury Wednesday 28th September 2022

 

Embassy of Japan Information Session (In-Person and Online)
For security reasons, registrations are required for both the in-person and online event. Register here

Date & Time Location for In-person attendance

Wednesday 5th October

5.30-6.30pm

Japan Information and Cultural Centre

Level 18, Majestic Centre

100 Willis Street, Wellington

 

For queries regarding Upper North Island Information Sessions please contact info-cul@ac.mofa.go.jp

For queries regarding Lower North Island and Dunedin Information Sessions please contact jicc@wl.mofa.go.jp

For queries regarding Christchurch Information Sessions please contact cultural.chc@wl.mofa.go.jp

Individual inquiries are welcome.

For any JET related queries please do not hesitate to contact the JET Officer at jicc@wl.mofa.go.jp or (04) 495-8333.

 

2023 JET Programme Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A: Yes to both questions! If you have not graduated yet, you CAN still apply! BUT: one of the references must be from someone related to your university (professor, lecturer, etc.). Finally, your degree MUST be conferred before your Japan departure date.
A: No! There is no longer any age limit for applicants to the JET Programme! As long as you meet all of our eligibility criteria, you are welcome to apply. Because the JET Programme was originally conceived as a post-graduate youth employment exchange programme, the bulk of our participants tend to skew younger. The most important thing is understanding the aims and goals of the Programme, and applying equipped with the means to advance them!
A: Yes! One thing people often struggle to get in on time is their transcripts. If you are still studying, we know that your academic transcript won't include this semester's grade s — and that's not a problem! However, please apply for it ASAP (as it can take 2-3 weeks for the university to process it) and submit it with your course grades up until now by the deadline of 5:00pm NZST, Monday 5 December 2022.
A: Yes! New Zealanders living overseas are welcome to apply to the New Zealand JET Programme. However, keep in mind that all applicants to the New Zealand JET Programme, regardless of their current place of residence, MUST interview (and depart) from one of the three interview locations in New Zealand: Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. There is no opportunity for long-distance interviews or similar, or the option to change interview locations to another country.
A: The JET Programme ALWAYS requires official hard-copy documents from your university, or Justice of the Peace-certified copies of such. However, from 2019, JET Programme New Zealand will also accept MyeQuals-certified digital documents in a two-step process. As long as you also send the IDENTICAL digital copies of academic documents to the JET Programme New Zealand within the official MyeQuals New Zealand website, printed (unofficial) copies of those same academic documents may be submitted as part of your physical Application Pack. Please choose "Send my documents to a registered organisation", type "JET Programme New Zealand" as the recipient, and fill out the required information. DO NOT assign an expiry date to your documentation! If you are having any trouble obtaining these documents, please contact your Embassy or Consulate ASAP for assistance!
A: On the Official MyeQuals New Zealand website, please choose " Send my documents to a registered organisation", then type "JET Programme New Zealand" as the recipient, and fill out all required information. DO NOT assign an expiry date to your documentation! If you are having any trouble obtaining these documents, please contact your Embassy or Consulate ASAP for assistance! Remember that you MUST also submit IDENTICAL printed copies of ALL documents you have submitted digitally.
A: No. A family member/friend is not an appropriate reference, and will be disregarded.
A: No. All references must be original copies, and include a hand-signed signature (a scanned copy or electronic signature is NOT acceptable, so please allow time for your referee to post you the original).
A: In addition to someone who knows your academic background, it's a good idea to choose a previous/current manager and/or someone from a community organisation/group that you have been involved in. Ideally, they can give a personal assessment of your abilities as a participant in the JET Programme, (including your ability to adjust and adapt to a foreign culture as well as commenting on your ability to work with people, and your quality of work) and career aspirations that have motivated you to apply. They should also outline their relationship to you, and how long they have known you for. Additionally, we do not require references to be confidential (we encourage you to open and collate your reference letters), but require them to be on letterhead wherever applicable.
A: That depends! First, you should know that there are a very limited number of Early Placements available (less than 5% of total Kiwi JETs leave early). These vacancies tend to arise because, for an unknown reason, a JET Participant has not completed their contract, and the contracting organisation cannot wait until July/August to get a replacement. You will still go through the application and interview process at the same time as everyone else, but everything in March is quite rushed!

You will:

  1. Have little or NO handover from your predecessor!
  2. Have no control over your placement, and any specific requests for such will not be considered.
  3. Have to complete and submit your certificate of health at application stage.
  4. Arrive in Japan before most JET Participants.
  5. Miss out on Q&A sessions, Pre-Departure Orientation, Language Workshops, and more, as well as the chance to meet other New Zealand JET Programme Participants.
  6. Have less than one month to prepare for departure (tricky for getting out of your job or flat!)
  7. Be going into a potentially tense situation, depending on the circumstances under which your predecessor left.
  8. Not be considered for arrival in July/August if you are selected and decline a placement.
Think CAREFULLY about whether or not putting a 'Y' in the Q26c. box is the right option for you.
A: Currently, applications for the 2023 JET Programme are due to proceed without interruption, and all planned events are on track. However, COVID-19 is a constantly evolving situation, and some Programme steps may be adjusted accordingly in the future. Moving, living, and working overseas is stressful for everyone, regardless of experience or global events, and as such we ask that all potential JET Programme participants carefully consider their own mental and physical health before applying to the Programme.

 

For more information about the JET programme

For worldwide general information, please read the FAQ on the Official JET Homepage.
For New Zealand-specific information, please read the 2022 JET Programme NZ Guidelines.

Jet Alumni Associations (Former JET participants can contact):

JETAA NZ

Kendra Sim (Country Representative)
JETAA New Zealand
www.facebook.com/JETAA-NEW-ZEALAND
Auckland

Horace Yeung (President)
JETAA Auckland
Email:president@aucklandjetaa.com
http://aucklandjetaa.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/5022759207/

Wellington

Andreas Birzer (President)
JETAA Wellington
c/o Japan Information & Cultural Centre Embassy of Japan
PO Box 6340 Marion Square Wellington 6141
Email:jetaawellington@gmail.com
http://www.jetaawgtn.org.nz/
https://www.facebook.com/JETAAWellington/
South Island

Nick Ward (President)
JETAA South Island
PO Box 13 748 Christchurch 8141
Email: president@jetaasi.org
www.facebook.com/groups/jetaasouthisland