Teaching English remains the most accessible career path for foreigners in Japan — especially for those without Japanese language skills. Tens of thousands of foreign nationals work as English teachers across the country.
Types of English Teaching Jobs
| Type | Employer | Students | Salary | Japanese Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JET Programme | Government | School-age | ¥280,000–360,000/mo | No |
| ALT (dispatch) | Dispatch companies | School-age | ¥200,000–280,000/mo | No |
| Eikaiwa | Language schools | All ages | ¥220,000–280,000/mo | No |
| University | Universities | Adults | ¥300,000–600,000/mo | Some |
| Private tutor | Self-employed | All ages | ¥2,000–6,000/hour | No |
| Online (Japan-based) | Online schools | Overseas students | Varies | No |
The JET Programme — Best Entry-Level Option
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is a Japanese government program that places foreign graduates in schools and local government offices across Japan.
Key Facts
- Salary: ¥280,000–360,000/month (increases with years of service)
- Contract: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years
- Visa: Sponsored by the Japanese government — guaranteed
- Accommodation: Often provided or subsidized
- Benefits: Health insurance, pension, paid leave, flights partially covered
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (any field)
- Native-level English speaker (from eligible countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, South Africa, and others)
- No prior Japan experience or Japanese required (but appreciated)
Application
- Annual application cycle — opens September/October for the following year
- Apply through your country’s JET application portal (via Japanese embassy)
- Interview held January–February; notification March
- Arrival in Japan: July (for most)
Positions
ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) — work in elementary, junior high, or high school CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) — local government office work; requires Japanese ability
ALT via Dispatch Companies
Dispatch companies hire ALTs and place them in public schools under contract with local boards of education.
Major Dispatch Companies
- Interac — largest dispatch company; hires thousands of ALTs
- Heart Corp,派遣会社 (派遣型)
- ALTIA Central, Borderlink
- Joytalk
Pros
- Year-round hiring (vs JET’s annual cycle)
- Less competitive than JET
- Placed near major cities more often
Cons
- Lower pay than JET (¥200,000–270,000)
- Benefits vary; some companies have poor reputations
- Less job security; contract can end at school year boundary
Research the company thoroughly before signing. Check reviews on GaijinPot forums and Reddit (r/teachinginjapan).
Eikaiwa (英会話) — Language Schools
Private English conversation schools (eikaiwa) teach adults and children in a classroom-style setting.
Major Chains
- NOVA (ノバ) — nationwide; formerly the largest; hiring year-round
- AEON (イオン英会話) — national chain; good training; steady hiring
- ECC — national chain; variety of student ages
- Berlitz — business English focus; higher pay
- Shane English School, Gaba — individual lesson models
Salary: ¥220,000–280,000/month
Entry level; annual bonuses vary.
Pros
- Year-round hiring
- Structured training provided
- Housing assistance at some companies
- Urban placement (city centers)
Cons
- Repetitive curriculum
- Evening and weekend hours common
- Less culturally immersive than school-based work
University English Teaching
University positions require:
- Master’s degree (minimum) — many require PhD
- Publications or research experience
- Competitive; fewer openings
Salary: ¥300,000–600,000/month, often with generous vacation
Search: JREC-IN Portal (jrecin.jst.go.jp) — Japan’s main academic job board.
Visa for English Teachers
Most English teaching jobs fall under the 人文知識・国際業務 (Humanities/International Services) visa or the 教育 (Education) visa.
- Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most teaching visas
- Your employer handles the visa application (Certificate of Eligibility)
- JET: fully government-sponsored; nearly guaranteed approval
Salary Reality Check
Entry-level teaching salaries (¥220,000–280,000/month) are liveable in rural Japan but tight in Tokyo. Consider:
- Tokyo rent: ¥60,000–100,000 for a 1K apartment
- Monthly expenses: ¥150,000–200,000 total for comfortable living
- JET in a rural area with subsidized housing is often financially better than eikaiwa in Tokyo
💡 Advance Your Career with Japanese Skills
Japanese ability dramatically opens doors beyond entry-level teaching. Moving into curriculum coordination, teacher training, or corporate English positions requires functional Japanese.
italki — learn Japanese from native tutors at your own pace. Flexible scheduling works around teaching hours.