Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: PR & Culture Section Staff
Posted by: Consulate-General of Japan in Miami
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Virginia Montiel (Matsukawa-machi, Nagano-ken (2016-2020) for passing along the following job opening.

The Consulate General of Japan is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented candidate for the position of a PR and Culture section staff at Consulate General of Japan in Miami

Description:

1. Cultural Affairs: Liaison and coordination with cultural partners, schedule management, and assistance with the operation of public affairs and cultural events.
2. Public Relations: Managing and editing the Consulate’s website, managing and posting on social media, creating newsletters, and proofreading/translating documents.
3. Other Duties: Various administrative tasks such as data entry and managing documents and supplies.

Application Process: Deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 17, 2026. For more information, please click this link – https://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100948133.pdf

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Japanese/English Interpreter
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: Greenfield, IN, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Carlos Medina (Oita, 2019-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

A Japanese Manufacturing company is currently looking for a full time Japanese-English Bilingual Interpreter to join their Greenfield, IN location.

The main role is to support Japanese expatriates (leaders and advisors) and provide real-time conference interpretation (simultaneous and consecutive) between English and Japanese.

More than just language conversion, the position requires an understanding of the differences in culture and business practices between Japan and the United States, and the ability to promote smooth mutual understanding as a communication advisor.

DOE and skills, the pay range for this position would be between the 50k-70k mark with great benefits.

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Administrative Assistant
Posted by: Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Jaime Cerna (Okinawa, 2017-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

The Permanent Mission of Japan is looking for local staff in the Social Section.

Job Description

• Administrative Assistant in charge of supporting and engaging in duties pertaining to the Social Section (please see below for detailed descriptions of expected job responsibilities).
• Full-time local staff, Monday through Friday. 7 hrs 45 min./day (9:30am-6:15pm with 1 hour lunch break)
• 3 months probation period required. 2 years (including probation period) with possible extension.
• Excellent and professional English writing, verbal communication skills and computer skills required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or green card – required
• Professional English writing and verbal communication skills, computer skills, touch typing skills – required
• Bachelor’s degree – required
• Japanese language skills and cultural familiarity – preferred
• Basic Knowledge of the United Nations and diplomacy – preferred

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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: JET Program Interview Assistant
Posted by: The Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA (Remote)
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Magda Fuller (Ishikawa, 2015-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

The Japan Information Center is hiring multiple part-time, remote JET Program Interview Assistants for the upcoming 2026 JET Program interview season. Please see the job listing for details.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here – https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100939658.pdf

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Japanese Interpreter
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: Rockmart, GA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Carlos Medina (Oita, 2019-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

A Japanese manufacturing company is currently looking for a fully onsite, Japanese Bilingual Interpreter to join their Rockmart, GA location.

The Interpreter is responsible for assisting various situations of communication between American staffs and Japanese staffs. Translator is responsible for translating emails, documents and presentations as requested by top management members and staff. Special Projects is responsible for following through on any business requests the President deems necessary.

DOE and skills, the pay range for this position would be between the 50k-60k mark and would come with great benefits. Entry level candidates are also encouraged to apply , especially if they have JLPT N2 level Japanese proficiency.

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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Japanese Bilingual Correspondent
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Carlos Medina (Oita, 2019-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

A Japanese Publishing Company is currently looking for a full time, hybrid English-Japanese Bilingual Correspondent to join their New York location.

This position is responsible for reporting on and writing news stories and relevant information, frequently related to the US and global economies through collecting and analyzing information relevant to newsworthy events through interviews, investigations, data analysis, and other observation methods.

The role may involve attending press conferences independently, traveling to other parts of the country, and collaborating with reporters in other locations, including bureaus in the Americas and in Tokyo.

DOE and skills, the pay range for this position would be between the 58k-70k with great benefits.

Your essential duties would include the following:

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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Temporary Assistant to the JET Program Coordinator
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Michelle Akamine (Oita-shi, Oita, 2021-2024) for passing along the following job opening.

The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles is seeking a talented, hard-working, organized individual to assist the JET Program Coordinator during the JET Program selection period in early 2026. This is a temporary contract position which will most likely be part-time for the duration of approximately 30 business days, to take place from early January until
late February. Work will primarily take place in the office. Wages are non-negotiable and will not cover any taxes you may be responsible for later (social security, etc.) or parking/transportation

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here – https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/JET_TempAd_Winter2026.pdf

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Local Staff, Economic Division
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in New York
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Joseph Meringolo (Fukushima, 2014-2017) for passing along the following job opening.

The Consulate General of Japan in New York is currently seeking to hire a local employee in the Economic Division.

Duties
– Communicating and supporting relationships with government and corporate contacts, including arranging and/or participating in meetings and reporting results clearly
– Daily research on Japanese business issues and U.S. economic conditions
– Writing and editing public statements by the Consulate
– Responding to telephone and e-mail inquiries from the general public related to matters under the jurisdiction of the Economic Division

Read More

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Program Coordinator
Posted by: U.S.-Japan Council
Location: Washington, D.C., USA/Hybrid
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to the U.S.-Japan Council for passing along the following job opening.

The Program Coordinator will work closely with the Director of Programs, Program Manager(s), and other staff across the team to provide administrative support in the development, coordination and execution of programs and events that support and promote USJC’s mission.Candidates should be committed to the goals of the organization and bring 1-2 years of experience coordinating and supporting programs and events that educate and engage audiences who are interested in U.S.-Japan relations.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C. (or elsewhere in the continental U.S.), with domestic and international travel required as needed. Preference will be given to candidates located in Washington, D.C., who are able to commute to the office. The Program Coordinator will report to the Director of Programs.

Key Responsibilities

sparrosd@gmail.com

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Staff Assistant for the Program for Teaching East Asia
Posted by: University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Christy Go (Higashine, Yamagata, 2014-2016) for passing along the following job opening.

The Program for Teaching East Asia (TEA) at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Asian Studies invites applications for a part-time (50%) Staff Assistant with background in East Asian studies and K-12 education.

TEA is a grant-funded program with the mission of facilitating and enhancing the study of East Asia and international education in K-12 curricula in schools nationwide. TEA conducts research on the state of the field; assesses national, state, and local district needs; and designs, delivers, and evaluates programs to address these needs. TEA programs bridge the gap between scholarly research in the field and the K-12 curriculum. Towards this end, TEA works with diverse groups of Asian studies specialists within and beyond the university, professional organizations, school districts, and teachers. This position reports to the TEA Director and/or project PIs as appropriate, and contributes substantively to TEA’s research, curriculum development, and teacher professional development projects.

The Professional Research Assistant will serve as a TEA staff Assistant, responsible for working with the TEA Director, project PIs, and Asian studies faculty on campus to design, deliver, and assess the impact of professional development programs in Asian Studies for K-12 teacher audiences.

Application Process: For more information and to apply, please click here –  https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/?jobId=68087

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Homeroom Teacher (VIA Global Community Fellowship)
Posted by: Futaba Elementary School (supported by VIA Programs)
Location: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Melissa Golden (Hokkaido, 2007-2012) for passing along the following job opening.

VIA (viaprograms.org) is currently accepting applications for our 1-year Global Community Fellowships in Asia. We offer placements with educational and community-based organizations in Thailand, Indonesia, and we are excited to announce a new post at Futaba Elementary School in Fukuoka, Japan.

ABOUT GCF: The Global Community Fellowship is a 13+ month program for recent university graduates and starting as well as experienced professionals. Fellows work at NGOs, schools, universities, and social enterprises across Asia to support community development, capacity-building, and education. By working directly with communities, Fellows get hands-on experience learning how organizations in Asia are using creative and innovative methods to address critical social challenges.

sparrosd@gmail.com

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Exchange Program Coordinator
Posted by: Institute of Global Exchange
Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Amery Castro (Yamagata Prefecture, 2024-2025) for passing along the following job opening.

Who We Are
Institute of Global Exchange (IGE) is a cultural exchange organization that provides students and young professionals from other countries with internship and training experience in the United States.

Overview
We are seeking a highly organized and motivated Coordinator to join our team. A J-1 Intern Program Coordinator oversees the implementation of the J-1 visa internship programs, acting as a liaison between the host company and the exchange visitor to ensure program compliance and success. Responsibilities include guiding participants through the application and visa processes, monitoring their progress, facilitating cultural exchange, and ensuring they meet federal regulations and host company objectives for their practical, temporary training in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Guide participants through the application and visa processes, monitoring their progress, facilitating cultural exchange, and ensuring they meet federal regulations and host company objectives for their practical, temporary training in the US
• Create and manage essential documents, monitor participant compliance with J-1 visa regulations and program policies through written reports, and address any issues or concerns

sparrosd@gmail.com

This is the first contribution from Cameron Cayer (Yamagata-ken, 2023-25). Originally from Rhode Island, then university in Washington, DC, he is currently taking the “long way home” through East, Southeast, and South Asia. Currently reporting from Flores, Indonesia.

Note: Here is a new Google Form for anyone who would like to submit their own response after reading this article, or for anyone who would like to share a reaction to this article.

The year 2025 has been one of major upheaval and change. There have been significant shifts in many US policies, massive government restructuring, and wide-ranging budget cuts budget changes. How have these changes impacted JETs and JET alumni? Earlier this year, JETwit reached out to the JET alumni community to conduct a survey to ask former JETs how, if at all, they have been affected. Nearly 100 JET alumni responded, and below is a summary of themes and some quotes from the responses.

The data undoubtedly reveals that U.S. federal budget cuts and policy shifts have created a climate of widespread anxiety and uncertainty among current and former JET Program participants. While the immediate effects vary, a clear pattern of professional and personal instability has emerged from the community’s responses.

Direct Professional Impact: Layoffs and Lost Opportunities

For many, the policy changes have resulted in direct job losses and a stalled career trajectory.

• Several federal contractors and government employees reported being laid off due to canceled contracts and the defunding of entire departments. One respondent noted, “All of our U.S. government partners have been fired or furloughed.”
• Non-profits and international organizations are also heavily impacted. One individual stated, “My agency has had grants canceled by our funders and our clients have had to cancel contracts with my team because their grants were rescinded.” This has led to staff restructures and layoffs.
• Academia and education have not been spared. Cuts to federal grants (e.g., NIH) have led to hiring freezes, rescinded job offers, and budget cuts. An art teacher expressed concern that their job would be eliminated, as “the arts are always the first to go when there’s a funding shortfall.”
• Opportunities for advanced education and career development have been significantly reduced. Several key international education programs, including Fulbright and the Critical Language Scholarship, have been halted or defunded. One person shared, “I have lost 2 internship opportunities this spring.”

Widespread Personal and Economic Disruption

Beyond professional impacts, survey responses indicated a potentiallyheavy personal toll on the JET community.

• There is a pervasive fear of a looming recession. One former JET who now owns a small business remarked, “The future is quite uncertain and my clientele are generally fearful and often ask if my prices will increase.” 
• Many are reconsidering their plans to return to the U.S. One respondent said, “I’m not going to be able to return to the US this year after all because I simply can’t get a job in the US.” Another person, still on JET, feels “trapped” but also grateful for their stable position in Japan.
• The stress of the political climate is a major concern. Individuals are experiencing increased anxiety. As one person put it, “The rhetoric of the current administration is rotten to the core.”

Impacts on Marginalized Communities

For some, the policy changes and political rhetoric are not just a matter of professional worry but a fundamental concern for their safety and well-being.

• Attacks on DEI initiatives and anti-immigrant rhetoric have created a climate of fear. A transgender person said, “I feel I have an added pressure to stay [in Japan] longer to stay safer and be able to access my hormones”.
• Many feel that their rights and safety are at risk. One respondent, a first-generation immigrant, shared their fear “of going back since I’m not sure what the current administration will do to me as a 1st generation immigrant who came to America as a child.”

Waiting and Seeing

It’s worth noting that some respondents indicated no direct effect as of the time of their response.

A Note of Optimism

Not all views were negative. Some respondents expressed a positive outlook on the policy changes.

• One individual felt that the government was “addressing the most basic, foundational matters relevant to every American” for the first time in their life. This person was happy with the new administration’s focus on reducing “bloated bureaucracy” and addressing the national debt.
• Another respondent expressed relief that there is now a “focus on economic growth again” to ensure job security and a reasonable cost of living.
• An individual who owns a business helping people relocate to Japan has seen a “huge spike in interest” from people looking to “go back to Japan,” which they found satisfying.
• One respondent noted that if the administration follows through on its promise to remove the foreign-earned income tax, it would be “extraordinary and the first time a president has enacted legislation that would immediately benefit my life.” 

For many, the experience of living abroad has even reshaped their perspective on what “home” truly means. As one respondent said, “It’s a country that I no longer recognize, leaving me feeling like an expat with no true ‘home.'” And as mentioned above, others are seriously considering staying in Japan, as they feel unsafe or unsure about returning to the U.S.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this survey! 

Comments or reactions to this article? Want to tell us how you’re doing or how 2025 has affected you? Please feel free to submit your comments through this Google Form. We plan to do a follow up article in the coming months that will include new responses. 

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Resolution Editor/Drafter
Posted by: Legislative Reference Bureau, Illinois General Assembly
Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA (onsite only)
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Laurel Williams (Nagasaki-ken, 2011-2016) for passing along the following job opening.

The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) is a non-partisan legislative support services agency of the Illinois General Assembly with primary responsibility for providing assistance to General Assembly members in the preparation of bills, amendments, resolutions, and other legislative documents.

Persons who serve in editorial and drafting positions with the Resolution Team of the LRB predominantly focus on the preparation and review of resolutions, which may be congratulatory or memorial in nature or may address specific substantive concerns of General Assembly members. However, an Editor/Drafter also performs other duties, including providing proofreading and writing support for attorney groups as needed.

sparrosd@gmail.com

Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.

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Position: Educational Outreach and Promotions Specialist
Posted by: Quick USA
Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Contract: Full-Time

Thanks to Carlos Medina (Oita, 2019-2022) for passing along the following job opening.

Are you interested in the educational field? Are you good at building relationships with new customers? As an educator, are you meticulous when choosing what learning tools to use? A Japanese Educational Organization is currently looking for a full time, Educational Outreach & Promotions Specialist to join their Torrance, CA location. (Part time, and contracting options are also available)

**For contracting positions, full remote is possible while attending the necessary locations when needed. This could also be done as a side job*

In this position, you would serve as the public face and key promoter of the online learning tools to the U.S. education community. You will be responsible for representing the company at events, visiting schools, and inspiring teachers and administrators to adopt our solutions. Are you a bilingual JET Alumni who’s looking to transition into something other than teaching, but stay in the education industry? Do you also have some experience in the American Educational System? That’s a big plus!

This could be a great opportunity for you! DOE and skills, the pay range for this position would be between the 62k-83k mark with great benefits.

sparrosd@gmail.com