Published: 15 Sep 2026 265 views
The Government of Japan is calling for applications from young South Africans who would like to spend at least one year in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) under a highly successful international exchange programme for university graduates.
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is administered through the collaboration of 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).
Aiming primarily to promote grassroots internationalisation at the local level, the JET Programme invites young university graduates from around the world to participate in internationalisation initiatives and be involved in foreign language education at Japan’s local government offices, boards of education, elementary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools. The JET Programme has received high acclaim both domestically and overseas for being one of the world’s largest international exchange programmes. We hope that all people involved in the JET Programme, including participants and the local people with whom they live and work, will build an international network and become successful in today’s global society.
The Government of Japan is the central government of Japan. The Government of Japan consists of legislature, executive and judiciary branches and is accountable to the Emperor of Japan.
| Application Deadline | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Country to study | Japan |
| Type | Training |
| Sponsor | Government of Japan |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Generally, Participants are appointed by prefectures, municipalities, and private schools etc. as a member of staff for a 1-year period of participation on the Programme. The cost of transportation from the Participant’s origin to Japan, as well as remuneration, will be funded by the tax payers of Japan via the Contracting Organisation where the Participant is appointed. Because Participants serve as civil servants and private school staff members of their Contracting Organisations, they are required to observe rules and behave responsibly.
JET Programme invites young university graduates from around the world to participate in internationalisation initiatives and be involved in foreign language education at Japan’s local government offices, boards of education, elementary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools.
Position and duties
Participants engaged in language instruction. ALTs are placed mainly in local boards of education, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.
Participants are to carry out their duties as ALTs under the guidance of language teachers' consultants or Japanese teachers of the foreign language as specified by the supervisor and/or principal of the board of education and/or school. The following is a general outline of duties, though they may vary from one Contracting Organisation to another.
(1) Assistance in foreign language classes, etc. taught in elementary, junior high and senior high schools.
(2) Assistance in foreign language activities, etc. in elementary schools.
(3) Assistance in preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language.
(4) Assistance in language training for teachers of a foreign language, etc.
(5) Cooperation in extracurricular activities and club activities.
(6) Provision of information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers' consultants and foreign language teachers (e.g. word usage, pronunciation, etc.).
(7) Cooperation in foreign language speech contests.
(8) Cooperation in local international exchange activities.
(9) Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor or the school principal.
Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)
PLEASE COURIER (WITH A TRACKING NUMBER) OR HAND DELIVER YOUR COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
JET PROGRAMME
259 BAINES STREET
GROENKLOOF
PRETORIA
0181
DEADLINE: 4 PM, 16 October 2026 (APPLICATIONS MUST ARRIVE AT THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN BY THIS DATE)
For more Information, visit Embassy of Japan in South Africa webpage
