JET Programme 2027: Government of Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (Fully Funded)

Government of Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme 

 

The Government of Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme 2027 is now open for young university graduates worldwide, including Africans. This fully funded opportunity places participants as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japan's local government offices, boards of education, and elementary, junior, and senior high schools to promote grassroots internationalisation and foreign language education. Running since 1987, the JET Programme has grown from four to 54 participating countries and now welcomes nearly 6,000 participants each year, with more than 80,000 alumni from 82 countries. Successful applicants receive an annual salary of roughly ¥4,020,000 in the first year, rising to ¥4,260,000 by the third year. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree, be nationals of the recruiting country, and show genuine interest in Japan. The programme offers a unique chance to live, work, and grow professionally in Japan.

overview

Item	Details
Programme	Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme 2027
Host country	Japan
Position	Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
Eligibility	University graduates worldwide (bachelor's or higher)
Funding	Fully funded (annual salary ¥4,020,000–¥4,260,000)
Deadline	16 October 2026

About the JET Programme

The JET Programme is administered jointly by Japan's local government authorities, 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).

Its main goal is to promote internationalisation at the local level by inviting young graduates from around the world to take part in international exchange and foreign language education across Japanese schools and local government offices. Since its launch in 1987, participating countries have grown from four to 54, and participant numbers from 848 to 5,993 as of 2025. More than 80,000 people from 82 countries have taken part over the years, making it one of the world's largest international exchange programmes.

Graduates and researchers exploring cross-border opportunities may also be interested in the AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Researchers.

Position and duties

Participants serve mainly as Assistant Language Teachers placed in local boards of education and in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. They work under the guidance of language teachers' consultants or Japanese teachers of the foreign language. Duties generally include:

• Assisting in foreign language classes in elementary, junior high, and senior high schools
• Assisting in foreign language activities in elementary schools
• Helping prepare foreign language teaching materials
• Supporting language training for teachers of a foreign language
• Cooperating in extracurricular and club activities
• Providing information on language matters such as word usage and pronunciation
• Assisting in foreign language speech contests
• Cooperating in local international exchange activities
• Other duties as required by the supervisor or school principal

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

1. Be interested in Japan and willing to deepen their knowledge of the country, initiate international exchange in the local community, and make an effort to study Japanese before and after arrival.
2. Be both mentally and physically healthy.
3. Be willing and able to adapt to living and working in Japan and complete the full period of participation.
4. Hold a bachelor's degree or higher by the designated arrival date. ALT applicants may alternatively hold a certification of completion of a three-year (or longer) course to teach at primary or secondary schools, or obtain that qualification by the arrival date.
5. Be a national (not just a permanent resident) of the country where recruitment takes place at the time of application. Applicants holding Japanese nationality must have submitted their application to renounce it by the Reply Form deadline.

Remuneration

Year	Approximate annual salary
First year	¥4,020,000
Second year	¥4,140,000
Third year	¥4,260,000

These amounts apply to participants who have worked one full year. If the period of participation is less than one year, remuneration is prorated accordingly.

For postgraduate study and other funded opportunities open to Africans, see the ARC Ltd–GSSP Scholarship Programme for Africans, and for journalists, the MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of nationality. Full details and country-specific procedures are available on the official JET Programme page.

• Official webpage: https://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/jet_programme.html

Application deadline: 16 October 2026.