Hi folks, I am hoping to apply to the jet program in the next two years. I have a hefty list of food allergies and it’s a concern of mine in the application process. If I consume foods I’m allergic to I become ill, nothing life threatening. Would this affect my chances of being accepted? Also, do you think they would honor a request to be placed near a hospital or walking distance to some type of health center? This would give me peace of mind. Thank you in advance.
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I think as long as you address this as a potential issue and demonstrate that you have thought about how to deal with it, you’ll be fine.
Usually they will place you somewhere with access to a hospital if you have medical needs. I have IBS and B12 issues for an example so whilst I’m rural, I’m still in a town with good healthcare.
That being said, Japan is a bugger to get food that’s free from. Restaurants don’t usually have ingredients listed or specific “free from” menus either. It’s also uncommon for them to adapt a meal to your requirements.
It should not effect your chances but you will definitely need a game plan on how to deal with your allergies out here.
Nope. This will not affect your chances of being accepted. I know of people with severely life threatening food allergies over here in Japan on the program. So you don’t have to worry.
It seems to mostly be for your future employer to know in case you’re eating school lunches so that they can let you know when you should prepare your own lunch instead.
You are allowed to put down reasons for why you want a particular placement. In the reasons section, you can talk about preferring a place with easier access to a hospital.
Not only was I raised vegan but I’m allergic to a bunch of veggies, nuts, and beans. I got accepted and I’ve managed to live just fine here w/ my restrictions. As long as you have a plan for your safety you should be fine.
You will be just fine in Japan, and it won’t ruin your chances of getting accepted. Just be prepared to learn the Japanese names of foods you can’t eat to ask when you go to a restaurant. Other than that you can bring your own lunch to school with you.
Hey! I have a fatal nut allergy and was accepted on the program. If the list is really extensive, they may ask about it at interview. But don’t be worried about it!
In preparation for the interview and life in Japan, it would be worth looking into whether all your allergies are included on the “top 28 allergen list” or the “top 7”. The top 7 seem to be included in a special box on almost everything I buy, but the top 28 are only especially obvious on some products. Make sure you can recognise the hiragana/ katakana/ kanji for your allergies and have some basic language relating to asking about allergies. Nattsu Arerugii (ナッツアレルギー) for example is understood when I ask people in stores and restaurants about it.
Most chain restaurants have an online menu that shows all their allergen information. You can Google e.g. よしのや の アレルギーメニュー(yoshinoya allergy menu) for a breakdown of the main 28 allergens in their food.
The main piece of advice I’d give is to gain a basis in Japanese. I wouldn’t feel as safe as I do here if I couldn’t read Japanese and communicate about allergies with shop keepers.
I’m not sure if they’d consider your placement requests – sorry ☺️ I hope they will!
Im type 2 diabetic and I’m in … they can’t really discriminate you based on food sensitivities or allergies. It’s possible they might put you near a city with medical care but it’s not a guarantee
You can be accepted no problem but you will have to do a lot of legwork day to day to make sure what you’re eating is truly allergen free. Food allergies are a lot less common here and therefore the severity of reaction and cross contamination can sometimes be overlooked. As long as you learn the words for everything you’re allergic to and ask up-front you should be ok but I’ve learned it’s better to ask every time and never assume.
My boyfriend is deathly allergic to peanuts and has been hospitalized more than once since coming here because something was overlooked. Pretty much all Chinese food is a no-go because of peanut oil. He’s been exposed to so many allergens here that he’s become more and more sensitive and can no longer eat edamame, natto, or even miso. Part of this is his own fault for not advocating for himself enough but even when I interrogate restaurant staff on his behalf sometimes they’re like “this is peanut free” but then come back 5 minutes later like “JK the chef uses peanut oil in the sauce” which is fine because I asked, but boyfriend often forgets to ask.
Also when boyfriend’s dad was visiting he was served prawn soup. Boyfriend’s dad is deathly allergic to shellfish. The staff offered to remove the prawns so he could eat the rest of the soup. Just as an example of how uninformed a lot of people are about how allergies work.
Also, you can get epi-pens for much much cheaper than the US & Canadia with the health insurance here, should you need to carry one.
I just had my interview and wasn’t asked anything about health other than some WHS questions- lifting etc.
I have allergies and carry my adrenaline (4) and a laminated letter explaining in Japanese what they are and treatment options.
Japanese supermarkets are just like western ones. Stick with safe fresh foods you normally eat and only eat safe when out. The Japanese will understand if you show them your letter and in most cases go overboard in helping you be safe.
So go for it.
I was accepted with various food allergies. The only accommodation that happened in terms of my schools was that I didn’t eat school lunch. I brought my own, which resulted in much bento admiration. Schools are pretty good with allergies since some students have them. Though be aware that allergy awareness in Japanese society is kind of iffy. Sometimes I’d ask if something contained apples, they’d say no, and when they checked…sure enough, apples. Often people interpret you saying you can’t have something as you not liking it rather than it will have serious health consequences. I carried a card with my allergies in Japanese and English.