JET Programme - 2017 Press Release

July 28, 2017

52 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme
participants departing from Vancouver

Vancouver – Of the 185 Canadians invited by the Government of Japan to participate in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme this year, 52, largely from British Columbia, will depart from Vancouver with the majority (50) departing on July 29, 2017.  They will join other Canadians already in Japan who will extend their contracts for an additional year bringing the total number of Canadian participants to 500.

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 second to Toronto.

The majority of the B.C. JETs (50) will act as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) engaging in English language education in junior and senior high schools.  Two participants will work as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) assisting a local government with its international endeavors. Participants will be located in areas throughout Japan, from Okinawa to Hokkaido.

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 many of Japan’s 47 prefectures and 17 designated cities.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the inception of the JET Programme. Since 1987, the JET Programme has developed into one of the world's largest personal exchange projects with almost 5 000 current participants from 40 countries. Since Canada’s inclusion as a participant country in 1988, the total number of Canadians having participated in the program has grown to 9, 039.

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

For more information, please contact Steve Chevalier, JET Programme Coordinator, at the Consulate General of Japan at (604) 684-5868 (ext. 223) or jet@vc.mofa.go.jp.