Getting Married

This page provides a general overview and advice about getting married in Japan. The information is from a single JET’s experience. Your circumstances and situation may vary so be sure to check with the appropriate authorities to confirm all the documents/information you will need and what the procedures and rules are. Registering your Marriage To […]

English Speaking Lawyers

AKAGI, Fumio Phone: 078-321-5558 Fax: 078-392-1424 Address: Shinko Bldg., 2F 8 Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0024 Specialty: maritime law and banking law Education: Ritsumeikan University, 1954, LL.B Memberships: Hyogo Bar Association NISHI, Masaru Phone: 078-994-3497 Fax: 078-994-3497 Address: Nishi Law Office 1-10-21 Akibadai Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2224 Specialty: private international law and international transaction Education: Kyoto University, […]

Arrested in Japan

Arrested in Japan While nobody plans on getting arrested while they’re over here, it does occasionally happen. The British embassy provides a very thorough Guide for British Nationals Arrested in Japan, which is applicable to nationals of other countries as well. Also check the section titled “Drunk Driving and Drug Use” in your General Information […]

School Evaluations

At the same time as the Recontracting Decision rolls around for us, our schools are also asked if they want to keep us. What will you be evaluated on? Though different schools do things differently, most likely your principal will fill out a report that looks something like this: Work Details (Attendance) 1. Tardiness: Never […]

Paid Leave

Paid leave, or nenkyu, is a precious commodity for most JETs, and therefore many questions/problems seem to revolve around it. Read the following points so that you can avoid some common problems. Summer Leave Many public offices/schools give their employees a few days of special/summer leave (夏休み natsu-yasumi). At some point you might even see […]

Special Leave

Types Of Special Leave Bereavement Leave Marital Leave Natural Disasters Pre/Post-natal Leave Maternity Leave Menstrual Leave Leave to care for an ill child Commuter Transportation Failure Special Leave includes all forms of leave other than your paid leave. The details will vary from contract to contract, so this list is just for reference. These types […]

Study Leave

CLAIR (who set the guidelines for contracting organizations like your BOE) has no official policy on Study Leave. AJET is pushing them to establish guidelines, rules such as “JETs should be allowed to apply for study leave under these conditions…” but nothing has been made yet. This means that it is completely up to your […]

Hyogo Orientation Overview

Prefectural Orientation  aka Yashiro Orientation (note: as of 2018 the orientation location is under review, thus the arrangement and coordination of the the prefectural orientation may change) After attending the Tokyo Orientation , SHS ALTs won’t have too long before they are reunited for three days of fun at Yashiro Orientation. Yashiro Orientation is held in […]

Dress Code

In Japan, personal appearance is often taken as a reflection of one’s attitude toward work. Dressing professionally will go a long way toward being taken seriously by your Japanese colleagues. You don’t have to erase any signs of personal style or imitate the way your Japanese coworkers dress, but try observing your work environment for […]