The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program seeks to help enhance internationalization in
Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The program
aims to enhance foreign language education in Japan, and to promote international
exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese youth and JET
Program participants.

The objectives of the program are being achieved by offering college/university
graduates the opportunity to serve in local government organizations as well as in public
and private junior and senior high schools.

The program is conducted by local governments of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the
Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) (see Note 1). This
program is renewed on an annual basis. As of 1997, participating countries were as
follows: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Finland,
France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, the
Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine, the United
Kingdom and the United States of America.

The Program started in 1987 with the cooperation of the governments of the
participating countries. In 1997, there was a total of 5,351 participants on the program
from the twenty-five countries (see Note 2).

As the JET Program has achieved an excellent reputation during these eleven years, it is
of great importance that this high level of respectability be maintained. Participants are
invited to Japan as representatives of their home countries. Therefore, they are expected
to be responsible in all of their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of
mutual understanding between nations. In this sense, it is desirable that applicants have
a positive interest in Japan as well as a congenial personality.

This application outline applies to Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) and
Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), but not to Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs), a
special type of CIR (see Note 3).

Details of the program are as follows:

1. PLACEMENT AND DUTIES

Two areas of placement are offered. One may apply for either of the two areas but
not for both.
 
CIR (Cordinator for International Relations)
CIRs are engaged in international activities. These participants are placed in offices of
local governments or related organizations such as international associations,
universities, convention bureaus and so on.

DUTIES:
The duties of the CIR are carried out under the guidance of the division management in
offices of prefectures, cities, towns or villages.

The following is a briefoutline of CJR duties, though they may vary greatly in emphasis
and content from one host institution to another.

a. Assistance with projects related to international activities carried out by the local
governments. Such activities may include: editing and translating pamphlets between
English and Japanese; advising on planning, designing and implementing international
exchange programs; receiving guests from abroad; and interpreting at events for
overseas visitors or for local foreign community members.

b. Assistance with English language instruction of government employees and local
residents.

c. Assistance with and participation in activities of local private groups or
organizations engaged in international exchange.

d. Assistance with or creation of exchange activities which help promote cross-cultural
awareness and understanding among local residents.

e. Other duties as specified by the host institution.

ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)

ALTs are engaged in language instruction. These participants are placed mainly in
publicly run schools or local boards of education. There may be a very limited number of
cases in which the participants are placed in private junior and senior high schools
through the prefectural offices or designated city offices (see Notes 4 and 5).

DUTIES:
Participants who are assigned to local boards of education or schools are to carry out
their duties as Assistant Language Teachers under the guidance of English Teachers'
Consultants or Japanese Teachers of English.

Thefollowing is a briefoutline ofduties, though they may vary from one host institution
to another.

a. Assistance with classes taught by Japanese Teachers of English.

b. Assistance with preparation of supplementary teaching materials.

c. Assistance with language training of Japanese Teachers of English.

d. Assistance with instruction of English language clubs (see Note 6).

e. Provide language information for Teachers' Consultants and Japanese Teachers of
English (e.g. word usage, pronunciation, etc.)

f. Assistance with English speech Contests.

g. Other duties as specified by the host institution.

In addition, ALTs may be asked by their host institutions to engage in local international
exchange activities.

2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Both CIR and ALT applicants must:

a. Be both mentally and physically healthy.

b. Have the ability to adapt to living and office conditions that could be significantly
different from those experienced in the applicant's home country.

c. Be a citizen of the country in which the recruitment and selection procedures take
place. It is compulsory to have citizenship in the country you will represent
by December 9, 1997. (Those who possess dual citizenship with Japan and one of the
twenty-five participating countries cannot participate in the JET Program unless they
renounce their Japanese citizenship prior to departure for Japan in July, 1998.)

d. In principle, be under the age of thirty-five (35) as of July 26, 1998. The purpose of
the program is to foster ties between Japanese youth and JET participants comprised of
young college and university graduates as described above.

e. Hold at least a Bachelor's degree or obtain one by June 30, 1998. Please note that
failure to complete a Bachelor's degree by June 30, ]998 will result in disqualification
from the Program

f. Have excellent English pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and voice projection; modern
standard language skills; good writing skills and grammar usage.

g. Be interested in Japan and willing to deepen one's knowledge and appreciation of that
interest after arrival.

h. Not be a current or former participant on the JET Program.

i. Not have declined, without justifiable reason, a position on the JET Program after
accepting an appointment as a participant.

j. Not have lived in Japan for three or more years in total since 1988.

CIR appricants must (in addition to the above a. through j.):

k. Be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the
local community.

1. Have a functional command of the Japanese language. (Japanese language proficiency is
necessary to flinction in a Japanese office environment.)

ALT applicants must (in addition to the above a. through j.):

m. Be interested in education and teaching in general, and in the teaching of the English
language in particular.

n. Be interested in working actively with students.

0. Have qualifications as a language teacher or have studied the teaching of English as a
foreign language or be motivated to study it.

Successfiil applicants for either the CIR or ALT position are expected to make an effort
to learn or continue learning the Japanese language prior to and following their arrival in
Japan.

3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and conditions of service, which often vary according to the policy of the
particular host institution in which the participant is placed, are generally as follows:

A. LENGTH OF CONTRACT

Contracts are for one year commencing on or about July 21, or July 27, 1998.  They are
renewable in certain circumstances and by mutual consent between the host
institution and the JET participant. A JET participant may not renew more than
two times.

Early termination of the contract by the participant greatly inconveniences the host
institution and its schedule for the scholastic year. All participants are expected to
fulfill the full term of the contract.

Violation of the terms and conditions of the contract such as prema:ur4y quitting the
program and/or returning home without justifiable reason may result in corresponding
measures to be taken, such as requiring the participant to reimburse the host institution
for the cost of bringing him/her to Japan.

Participants are expected to be at the office and/or school an average of thirty-five
hours per week, excluding lunch break. Normal office and/or school hours in Japan are
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese
national holidays are generally days off. There are cases in which extra hours are
required after usual office and/or school hours. There are approximately twelve
additional days off with pay but this varies among host institutions.

B. PLACEMENT

The host institution in which each participant is placed is decided by CLAIR, following
consultation with other relevant parties. Successful applicants are placed in the
institutions to which they have been assigned. Any specific placement request should be
written on the application form. Placement preferences on the part of the applicant
cannot be guaranteed. Rejection by the participant of the post offered will result in
disqualification from the program. Married couples may apply. Each spouse, however, is
treated as an individual applicant and placement together cannot be guaranteed.

C. REMUNERATION

Those exempt from Japanese income tax based upon a tax treaty between Japan and the
participant's home country receive approximately 3,600,000 Yen per year (see Note 7).
Those who pay tax in Japan receive approximately 3,760,000 Yen per year, in monthly
payments. Therefore, all of the participants, including those liable for the Japanese
income tax, are paid 3,600,000 Yen per year in net payment. A part of the cost for
mandatory health insurance and pension fund (about 40,000 Yen per month) is borne by
each participant and deducted from the monthly payment of 300,000 Yen. This
remuneration is sufficient to cover average living expenses in Japan.

D. TRANSPORTATION

Participants will arrive in Japan on July 20 or July 26, 1998, respectively, with flights
from the U.S. departing one day prior to arrival. Participants are provided with air
tickets from designated U.S. airports to the New Tokyo International Airport (Narita) by
the host institutions. All participants must travel on the dates and flights designated by
the JET Program. Provided that they complete their contract and adhere to the
established tenns and schedules of the program (1eaving Japan within one month after
completion ofthe contract and without entering into an employment agreement with a
third party in Japan within one month), participants also receive either a return air
ticket to the original home country point of departure or the equivalent in cash from
their host institution. Domestic travel expenses between New Tokyo International
Airport and the host institutions are borne by the host institutions. Travel and other
expenses between each participant's residence and the designated U.S. departure airport
are the responsibility of the participant. A participant may be accompanied by a spouse
and/or children at his/her own expense, only after informing the host institution and
ensuring that housing arrangements have been made.

E. ACCOMMODATIONS

Host institutions assist participants in finding accommodations. In some cases, housing
already will have been chosen prior to the participant's arrival. Rent is approximately
30,000 Yen to 60,000 Yen per month, though often higher in most major cities.
Participants should expect to pay their own rent. Participants may be required to pay a
housing deposit of two to five months' rent. Any unpaid rent and/or expenses for
reparation are deducted from the housing deposit and the remaining balance is refunded
upon leaving. In addition to the deposit, key money (a non-refundable payment to the
landlord) may be from one to two months' rent. Participants should recognize, as well,
that accommodation conditions, rent, etc. vary among host institutions and geographic
areas.