Job Discussion Forums

[Mark]

Hi folks,

Just wondering if somebody could clear something up for me. It seems like JETs are not actually placed in Tokyo anymore. Is that the case? Is it a waste of time to write Tokyo on your application as a location preference? I currently live in Tokyo, so that's an important consideration for me.

Also, if JETs aren't placed in Tokyo, how do the schools find their ALTs? Through Interac and the like? Or do schools or boards of education directly hire ALTs?

I'm getting a bit tired of the Eikawa grind and would like to be in a Japanese work environment (for language practice and whatnot) so I'd greatly appreciate any replies.

Thanks,

Mark

[omarr380]

Hello. It is possible to be placed in Tokyo as a JET. I met a girl from Ireland who was on the JET program a few years ago and was placed in Shinjuku, both housing and school. She says at the time she was one of five JETS that was placed in Tokyo. It is possible, but I couldn't tell you HOW possible.

[Laura C]

Hi Omarr,

I assume that might be me you're talking about as we worked for the same company a few months back...

to the OP:

It was 96-97 I was placed in Shinjuku. There were about 25 Tokyo JETs but only about 5 of us placed in central Tokyo -- 3 ALTs and 2 CIRs. I'm pretty sure that JET don't place in Tokyo any more.

I was looking for ALT work myself in Tokyo recently and could only come up with Interac. But there are quite a few schools that advertise directly, and I ended up getting a few offers from those applications.

Good luck!

L

[dtomchek]

Konnichiwa:

You know, I was just in Tokyo in July as I was a Tokyo Orientation Assistant for the new JETs. I personally do not know of anyone who got an assignment within the city limits but there were quite a few within an hour or so of the city so it is possible to get near there if that is what you want...place it on the app and see what happens...

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

Some cities, like Tokorozawa, also hire their own ALTs

For Tokyo positions, go down to Shinjuku (West Exit) and go up to the 22nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building.

They pay Y6,500 per hour.

[G Cthulhu]

There are JETs that work within the area that people tend to think of as Tokyo, but there are only two (yup, read it and weep, *two*) ALTs actually employed directly these days - and they are only employed because they're actually living out on the islands off the coast of Japan that are officially administered as part of Tokyo city.

[Laura C]

You could always put Chiba or Yokohama down as your preferred areas I suppose...close enough.

[Laura C]

Oh, and ps -- one of my JET friends that year lived on one of those islands. He ended up doing 2 years there cos they told him he could transfer to central Tokyo the 3rd year (he didn't get to go so found another job). He had a pretty tough time, and he's a really sweet friendly guy, not at all the type to wait for people to approach him. He spent all his time on his own and was pretty miserable sometimes.

[G Cthulhu]

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

I have fun in Tokyo

lots of bar/restaurant choices

lots of jobs

lots of interesting people

Tokyo dirty? LOL!!!

[Mark]

[einsenundnullen]

Mark,

"IIRC" is just "if I recall correctly". Here's a website of internet acronyms: http://www.magicpub.com/netprimer/acronyms.html .

Chris

[Mark]

[Sweetsee]

RPD,

The wage this year is 5500 yen/hr.


Cheers,
sweetsee

[king kakipi]

Yes 5500 is still a fair old whack but why did it go from 6500 since 1994 to 5500 from this year.......?

Also the `hours` can be quite short. One of my contracts is for a total of 45 hours A YEAR!!