Four decades of Kiwis teaching English in Japan on the JET programme

New Zealand was one of the first countries to join the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) programme when it started in 1987 with the objective of increasing mutual understanding between the people of Japan and people of other nations. Dr Anita Perkins found out about the significance of this programme to the New Zealand-Japan relationship by seeking information from the Japanese Embassy and talking to current JET teacher, Megan Wilson, and former JET teacher, Jessica Tisch.

New Zealanders creating cultural teaching ties with Japan since 1987

In April this year, new Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand, Osawa Makoto, emphasised how exchanges such as the JET programme contribute to the bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Japan at the people-to-people level. On this programme, young adults travel to Japan to teach English in schools. New Zealander, Megan Wilson, who is currently on the JET programme agrees, with the Ambassador. 

Megan Wilson in Japan. Image: Supplied

“The JET programme is a fantastic way to improve my Japanese language skills, learn more about Japanese culture and meet people from all over the world who are also interested in Japan," she says.

Similarly, Jessica Tisch, a New Zealander who works as the Country Manager of Freshco in Japan, found participating in the programme foundational in setting the direction of her future career and life path.

“It was a dream for me to be selected for the JET programme. I made such amazing friends during my time on JET. Not only did I learn a lot about Japanese culture, but I also learnt so much about other countries through my new friends,” she says.

New Zealand, the US, the UK, and Australia were the four countries who originally signed up to the programme. That has now grown to over 78 countries participating and in 2020, there were 251 New Zealanders in Japan on the programme (with Covid-19 impacting the availability of more recent statistics).

Megan Wilson: Connecting with the local community to build an international career

Wilson is seven months into her role as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) of English at three elementary schools and one junior high school in the city of Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu. Wilson says JET offers the opportunity to be included in the lives and learning of students throughout their English education.

“ALTs get to experience teaching in a Japanese classroom, learn about different school procedures such as kyushoku (school lunch), and be a part of a staff team.”

Megan Wilson practicing in Japan. Image: Supplied

While Wilson sometimes finds communicating in Japanese on specific topics difficult, she says school staff are very kind and patient. The schools also allow her to try out innovative ideas within the classroom.

“I have taught on topics such as hauora [the Māori concept of wellbeing], storytelling, and even asking students to write about the positive attributes of their classmates.”

Wilson also finds the students and people in her local community very friendly.

“Every morning the students will greet me with a cheerful ‘good morning!’ There have been many times when I have been waiting at the local bus stop and curious locals have approached me to ask where I’m from, or ask me if New Zealand really has that many sheep.”

Wilson sees participating in the JET programme as pivotal to her future career working in a role that is focused on being a bridge between New Zealand and Japan. In the short term,

She will be taking the N2 Japanese Language Proficiency test. Wilson has also applied for a master’s in international relations and diplomacy at the University of Canterbury in 2026.

Jessica Tisch: JET laying the foundations for a dream career move to Tokyo

At age 23, Jessica Tisch took a career break from working at a top four accounting firm to take part in the JET programme, working at two senior high schools and a special needs school. It was a move that changed the course of her career.

Tisch lived in Shimane, a coastal rural area on the island of Honshu.

“It felt like authentic Japan,” she says.

New Zealander Jess Tisch in her role at Freshco, launching the 2024 season of Breeze apples. Image: Supplied

She felt well accepted by the local community. In the days before Google maps, Tisch and her diverse group of international friends would go on adventures involving camping, festivals, swimming, skiing, karaoke, and snack bars.

“We had so much in common during our time on the JET programme. I relied on this group like a whānau.”

Trying to cater her teaching to the varying levels of English among the students, daily language challenges and suffering a severe knee injury were also part of her experience.

At the conclusion of her JET exchange, Tisch gained a position at a Japanese manufacturing company in Shimane for another 18 months. She then returned to New Zealand taking on roles in food manufacturing and in the meat industry and finishing her Chartered Accountant qualification. She stayed engaged with Japan throughout via the JET alumni group in Christchurch, and the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network.

Later, Tisch joined New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), starting as Customer Manager in Christchurch and eventually, in 2019, returning to Japan in role with NZTE Tokyo team as a Business Development Manager. This dream role gave her exposure to local networks as well as New Zealand companies, business and political delegations.

“I jumped at the chance to return to Japan in this position," she says, "I would never have been able to get this role without my experience in Japan on the JET programme.”

After four years at NZTE Tokyo, Tisch moved on to her current role of working for a New Zealand exporter of fresh produce to Japan (apples and squash) as Country Manager. She is now supporting the company’s distribution network, developing new business opportunities, and supporting retail customers with marketing efforts to grow awareness of New Zealand produce in Japan.

Advice for people looking to go on the JET programme

JET participants require a bachelor’s degree and participants can stay in Japan for a minimum of 1 year and up to five years. The programme’s eligibility criteria are very open; participants do not need to know how to speak Japanese or to have teaching experience to apply. Individual participants have a variety of experiences with postings located throughout Japan from smaller, rural areas to larger cities such as Tokyo or Osaka. While most people on the programme work as assistant language teachers, there are also roles available as coordinator for international relations in local government offices, or as sports exchange advisors.

Wilson says she would encourage anyone interested in Japan to consider applying for the JET programme. “It’s a great opportunity to create some fantastic connections, learn more about Japan and gain some basic teaching skills.”

Tisch has a similar take: “You won’t regret your decision to go on the JET programme! I’d love to see more New Zealanders applying, who come from a diverse academic background, not just those studying Japanese. Make sure you love kids, teaching and sharing your culture if you decide to apply – it’s the main reason you’re there, not just to live in Japan or to learn Japanese.”

Website: More information for prospective participants for the JET programme can be found here 

Both Megan Wilson and Jessica Tisch are members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network.

- Asia Media Centre