Embassy of Japan in Jamaica
在ジャマイカ日本国大使館

Begun in 1987 with more than 800 participants, the JET Program has grown tremendously. Today, the program is one of Japan's largest cultural exchange programs. Since 1987, over 98.000 persons have gone on the programme. In 2010, over 4,300 participants are taking part in the program from 50 different countries. Jamaica, as the first Caribbean country, began to participate in this programme in 2000 and 14 Jamaican youths were dispatched to Japan. There are three different positions for JET participants but only the Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position is available to Jamaicans so far.

Participants are invited to Japan as grassroot ambassador representatives of their home countries, and play an important role in promoting mutual understanding between nations. Successful JET Program applicants must have a strong sense of responsibility, a genuine interest in learning about Japan, and must be able to adapt to a different culture and new situations.

The Jet Programme has achieved an excellent reputation since its inception and seeks participants of the highest calibre, who should be representatives of their country, have a keen interest in Japan and its culture, interested in international exchange activities and the study and teaching of foreign languages. Therefore they are expected to demonstrate a sense of responsibility in all their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations. All participants of the JET Programme are given the opportunity to take advantage of a Japanese language course offered by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).