The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program

What The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program does

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a cultural and educational exchange initiative founded in 1987 and administered by the Government of Japan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). The program recruits young foreign nationals to live and work in Japan for one-year renewable terms in one of two roles: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), supporting English-language instruction in Japanese K-12 schools, and Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), supporting internationalization projects at municipal and prefectural government offices. Since inception, more than 80,000 participants from over 80 countries have taken part, including 39,000+ Americans — making JET one of the largest bilateral cultural exchange programs of its kind.

The program's operational infrastructure spans 19 U.S. embassy and consulate offices that manage recruitment, screening, and pre-departure orientation for American applicants. Annual applications are accepted from September through November for the following year's cohort. Application processing, candidate selection, and host-institution matching are conducted through the Japanese government apparatus rather than through a commercial platform. The program's core outputs are not products but rather placed personnel: ALT and CIR participants embedded across Japanese host institutions on an annual cycle.

JET does not operate as a commercial enterprise and has no revenue model in the traditional sense. It is entirely funded through Japanese government appropriations and does not charge participants, host schools, or partner organizations. The program's long-term value is diplomatic and soft-power rather than financial: it sustains Japan's international cultural ties, develops English-language teaching capacity, and creates an alumni base (formalized through JETAA chapters) that continues to advocate for Japan-related careers and engagement post-return. Supporting ecosystem organizations — AJET for in-country participant support and outreach partners including the Japan Society of Boston and the International Student Conference — extend the program's reach beyond its active placement cycle.

Name

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program

Legal name

JET Program USA

Website

https://jetprogramusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a Japanese government-administered cultural exchange initiative founded in 1987 that places foreign nationals as Assistant Language Teachers in K-12 schools and Coordinators for International Relations in municipal offices across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Cultural Exchange Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Foreign Governments (8888), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Immersion & Cultural Exchange Programs (THAKAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business & Professional Language Training Abroad (EDAIAEAC), Short-Term Secondary Immersion & Cultural Exchange Trips (EDAIAHAD), On-Ground Orientation, Travel, Transfers & Logistics Support (EDAIAHAL), Academic Support, Tutoring & Language Support for Enrolled Overseas Secondary Students (EDAIAHAK)

Keywords

• Cultural exchange program
• English language teaching
• International relations coordination
• Government-sponsored exchange
• Teaching exchange program

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Program (No Commercial Revenue): The JET Program is a government initiative managed by the government of Japan. It is not a commercial enterprise generating revenue. Participants receive salaries and benefits from their contracting organizations in Japan (schools, boards of education, government offices). The program operates as a public diplomacy initiative rather than a revenue-generating entity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a government-sponsored cultural exchange program that recruits foreign nationals (primarily from the United States and 80+ other countries) to live and work in Japan for 1-5 year contracts. Participants are placed in two roles: as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japanese schools and boards of education to assist with English language instruction, or as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) in local government offices to assist with translation, interpretation, and international relations activities. Participants receive salaries and benefits from their contracting organizations in Japan, and there is no application fee to participate.

Product overview

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a single, unified cultural exchange program managed by the government of Japan. Founded in 1987, the program consists of two main components: the Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) program and the Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) program. The ALT program places participants in schools and boards of education to assist with English language instruction, while the CIR program places participants in government offices to assist with international relations and translation work. The program facilitates cultural exchange by sending participants from over 80 countries to work in Japan for 1-5 year contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Program A government-managed cultural exchange placement that places foreign nationals as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japanese schools and boards of education to enhance internationalization and English language education. Eligible for applicants with a Bachelor's degree in any major; no Japanese language proficiency or teaching certificate required. Participants serve 1-5 year contracts and receive salary and benefits from their contracting organizations in Japan.
• Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) Program A government-managed cultural exchange placement for foreign nationals with semi-advanced to advanced Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N2 or above) who work in Japanese local government offices assisting with translation, interpretation, and international exchange activities. Participants serve 1-5 year contracts and receive salary and benefits from their contracting organizations in Japan.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80,000 participants have participated since 1987
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987The JET Program is administered and funded by the government of Japan. The program operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) coordinating through Japanese diplomatic missions abroad. Partner countries participate through their respective Japanese embassies and consulates.
• AJET (Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJET is the official organization representing JET participants currently in Japan. They organize social events, provide support networks, advocate for participant welfare, and facilitate cultural exchange activities. AJET publishes the 'Contact' magazine and maintains regional chapters.
• JET Alumni Associations (JETAA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal network of JET alumni associations in the U.S. (including regional chapters like JETAASC for Southern California and Arizona) and worldwide. These organizations provide networking opportunities, career support, social events, and informal program promotion through their members.
• Japan Society of BostonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization co-presenting the 'Connect with Japan: Opportunities for U.S. Students' webinar event to promote the JET Program to prospective American applicants.
• International Student ConferenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization co-presenting the 'Connect with Japan: Opportunities for U.S. Students' webinar event to promote the JET Program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Peace Corps: The U.S. Peace Corps sends American volunteers abroad for multi-year service in education and community development. Like JET, it is a publicly funded people-to-people program recruiting recent graduates, though Peace Corps operates globally while JET focuses exclusively on Japan.
• EF Education First: EF Education First is a global private language-education and cultural-exchange company offering programs in Japan and many countries. While commercial rather than government-run, EF competes with JET for students and teachers seeking cross-cultural Japan experiences.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a major nonprofit international educational exchange organization running study-abroad and work-abroad programs. While it does not place ALTs in Japanese schools, it competes for the same pool of U.S. students seeking international experience in Asia.
• Fulbright Program: The Fulbright Program is a U.S. government-sponsored international academic exchange, comparable to JET as a publicly funded bilateral cultural/educational exchange targeting U.S. graduates for overseas placements. Both compete for similar candidate profiles (recent graduates seeking international experience).

Direct peers

• Interac: Interac is one of Japan's largest private dispatch companies placing Assistant Language Teachers in Japanese public schools. It directly competes with JET for the same ALT roles and contracting boards of education, serving as the principal private-sector alternative to JET's government-managed program.
• ALTIA Central (formerly GEOS): ALTIA Central dispatches Assistant Language Teachers and operates English-language training programs in Japan, competing with JET for the same pool of native English-speaking applicants and school contracts.
• Borderlink: Borderlink is a major private ALT dispatch company operating across Japan, recruiting native English speakers for school placements. It competes head-to-head with JET and government-run ALTs for contracts with Japanese boards of education.

Regional players

• Berlitz Japan: Berlitz operates language schools across Japan teaching English to Japanese learners, partially serving the same demand (Japanese need for English instruction) that JET ALTs address inside schools. Both rely on native English-speaking instructors in Japan.

Emerging players

• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS Intercultural Programs is a global nonprofit operating intercultural exchange and homestay programs across multiple countries. It overlaps with JET's cultural-exchange mission, though AFS focuses more on student/school-year exchanges and hosts in Japan rather than ALT placements.
• Nacel International: Nacel International is a smaller exchange organization running high-school study-abroad and language-immersion programs. It overlaps with JET in the broader people-to-people U.S.-international-student exchange market but operates at a smaller scale and lacks the government-backed Japan placement focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jetprogram
• Facebookfacebook.com/jetprogram.usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/jetprogramusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jet-program-usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program