Welcome! Your First Few Days

As one would expect, especially if this is your first time, things in Japan will be unfamiliar and different from what you may have been accustomed to at home. Don’t assume anything! Ask questions, heaps of them. Your supervisor and senpai JETs in your area are probably the best people to ask questions while you […]

Typhoons

The typhoon season in Japan runs from May through October, with most activity from July to September. Typhoons are tropical cyclones or giant hurricane-like whirlwinds. These storms, accompanied by heavy rainfall, can cover areas of up to 500 miles in diameter and generate winds up to 180 miles an hour. Typhoons that hit Japan are […]

Visa Renewal and Status of Residence

Hyogo AJET provides general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Japanese visa laws and policies may change, and individual circumstances vary. Always verify information with official sources such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a licensed immigration professional (行政書士). What is your Period of […]

Temporary Visitor Visa

Hyogo AJET provides general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Japanese visa laws and policies may change, and individual circumstances vary. Always verify information with official sources such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a licensed immigration professional (行政書士). For most third year JETs, […]

Police Clearance Certificate

After you go back home, some programs in some countries will require that you get a police clearance certificate (犯罪経歴証明書). For example, if you want to become a teacher in New Zealand, you will probably need a police clearance certificate to become registered. If this is the case, try to get one before leaving. If […]

Breaking Contract

Sad as it may be, every now and then a JET member decides that they cannot continue their job mid-contract. Many circumstances lead to this decision and this would result with the breaking of contract and leaving the JET Programme. As such, it’s important to consider the effect that your choice will have on your […]

Hanko (Personal Seal)

In Japan, a hanko (判子) is a personal seal in red ink representing your signature on most documents, mainly official ones. You’ll often hear hanko and inkan (印鑑) used interchangeably, but technically speaking, the cylindrical object made of wood, plastic, etc. is your hanko, and the inkan is the red seal that you make on […]

Airports and Air Travel

Kansai International Airport 関西国際空港 Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main international airport for western Japan. Opened in 1994 to alleviate the demand experienced at Itami Airport, it’s become the third busiest airport in Japan. It provides both domestic and international flights to many destinations. The airport was completely renovated for the Expo, so a […]