JET Programme - 2011 Press Release

48 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme
participants departing from Vancouver

Vancouver – Of the 206 Canadians invited by the Government of Japan to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme this year, 48, largely from British Columbia, will depart from Vancouver on July 29, 2011. 

In the entire program, Canada has the second largest number of participants. The United States ranks first and the U.K ranks third.  In Canada, B.C.’s level of participation is ranked number two, behind Toronto with 70 participants.

The majority of the B.C. JETs (46) will act as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) engaging in English language education in junior and senior high schools.  One participant will work as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) and will assist local governments with their international endeavors.

The JET Programme seeks to promote mutual understanding between Japan and other countries and foster international perspectives among Japanese people through the efforts of the JET workers.  Participants from Canada and elsewhere are assigned to localities in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures and 17 designated cities.

Since its inception in 1987, The JET Programme has developed into one of the world's largest personal exchange projects with almost 4, 000 current participants from 36 countries. Since Canada’s inclusion as a participant country in 1988, the total number of Canadians having participated in the program has grown to 7,889.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recruits for the JET Programme from September to mid-November each year.  The final selection is announced in April after application screening and interviews have taken place.  Successful Canadian candidates depart for Japan near the end of July.  This year’s departures will take place on July 29.

Event listing and send-off reception photos