Last updated: August 2025 With burdens like language barriers and “key money”, finding an apartment in Japan is not a pleasant business. One of the blessings of the JET Program is the Contracting Organizations (CO) usually arrange housing for participants. Of course, that means we get plenty of questions about housing. My friend’s apartment is […]
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 […]
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 […]
Aside from the specific cases provided for in your contract, unpaid leave technically does not exist, and your contracting organization is not able to grant it. Every now and then a JET will use up all of their paid leave, and then when an emergency comes up they are unable to take any more leave. […]
Hyogo AJET provides general information only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws, regulations, filing requirements, rates, and procedures in your home country may change, and individual circumstances vary. The author takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided. Always verify details with official sources or […]
Depending on your country of origin, when doing your home country tax return, you may have to include a statement from your Contracting Organization in Japan about your annual earnings. This statement is known as your gensenchoshuhyo, and is issued to you in January of each year. It covers the period from January 1st to […]
Japanese Health Care System Appointments Most doctors see their patients on a walk-in basis. Expect some waiting, as it is usual practice here for people to go to the hospital, or clinic, for a common cold or cough (remember that you can’t use sick leave unless you go to the doctor…) If you are very […]
Illegal Medicine Tylenol Cold Nyquil Nyquil Liquicaps Actifed Sudafed Advil Cold & Sinus Dristan Cold (“No Drowsiness”) Dristan Sinus Drixoral Sinus Vicks Inhaler Lomotil Anything containing Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Morphine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone etc This list is by no means definitive, and you should contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you to make sure any medication […]
The following lists are by no means complete and was taken in part from Consulate General of Japan at Chicago. If you have any question, contact your nearest Japanese Consulate or Embassy. Prohibited Weapons – Handguns, rifles, bullets, etc. Narcotics – Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, etc. Forged Goods – Including forged money and counterfeit items that violate […]