Hello! I’m applying for Jet 2023 for the 2nd time (I was an CIR alternate for 2022).
I currently work for a Japanese company in the US where I’m able to speak Japanese regularly. My Japanese isn’t perfect since I’ve never been there but it’s enough to be able to work professionally with a slightly broken Keigo.
Being in my job my coworkers tell me living in Japan is hard: low wages, decreasing value of Yen, overtime, 上下関係, etc. As much as I want to experience Japan, at this point I’m debating on whether I should even continue with JET.
Ideally I want to work for an international company that lets me go back and forth US and Japan. Or perhaps an American company in Japan but I also feel like JET is overwhelming and far. Do i need JET to get to where I want to be? Are there other routes? Should I continue with JET for the experience ?
11 comments
JET is pretty cushy. The yen might be weak, but for ALTs, there should be very little overtime. (I’ve noticed a lot of CIRs have more on their plates, though.)
I think if you’re curious about working in Japan and want to travel the country, JET’s a great option. It’s also easier for CIRs to jump to another job in Japan post-JET because of language ability and status of residence classification (the broader ‘Specialist in Humanities’ vs. the very specific ‘Instructor’ for ALTs). It’d be worth talking to some current and former CIRs to see what they’re doing and decide if it interests you more than what you’re doing right now.
Imo JET would be a step back for you rn
Focus on furthering the career you have now and as you said aim for a transfer or a company in Japan if your goal is to stay long term.
Save money and travel to Japan when you can to scratch that itch until you can make living there possible.
If you’re working at a japanese company in the us, maybe look for relocation opportunities?
You do not “need” JET for anything but it might make some things easier for you.
I would say that if your first priority is to find the easiest, simplest way to live in Japan given your current experience–go for it.
But: Do you have debt denominated in USD? Do you only want to live in a specific (type of) location in Japan? Perhaps reconsider.
View it as a year off from work, rather than a career move.
Imo JET could be a good opportunity for you. JET contracts are built in ways to prevent typical Japanese work tendencies. Additionally the despite the falling yen, JET salaries are supposed to be meet living expenses. That being said it still doesn’t make a lot of money, but you can live comfortably off it.
Career opportunities wise, JET is not made to be long term. But you can use this opportunity to network your way into Japan.
You should go to Japan for life experience. Even if your work life isn’t exciting, you can do a lot of your weekends and holidays off school. I don’t really recommend settling down here long term.
Military. It’s what I’m looking at.
Current CIR here
Obviously ESID and I don’t know that much about your specific situation or goals but I would recommend it. You get put in a really intensive situation where you cannot use anything but Japanese to communicate with everyone. It is also a good salary (depending on the cost of living in the area you are placed) with lots of opportunities to travel and have fun.
Feel free to message me if you want
Have you ever visited japan? If you never set foot here, at least do that as a first step. And if you are already at N2 level, you could try working for an international company but working culture in japan is much different than in the US…so that might be a huge shock to you.
You do not need JET. Unless you were placed in Tokyo, then honestly most other placements simply won’t help with your goals. I would apply, see if you get in, see your placement, then decide. I was placed in Tokyo and got job offers in recruiting for an American company with great work culture- but it was my placement that helped a ton. I could go in for rounds of interviews anytime. Since your Japanese is good and you already work for a Japanese company, keep networking. Im pretty sure you don’t need JET and it might be a step back career-wise.