Simple, you don't pay any income taxes in either Japan or the US. You'll still need to file, and pay for any income earned back in the US before you left for Japan, but as a government employee in Japan, you don't pay taxes in Japan. And if you are out of the US at least 330 days out of the year, you don't pay taxes in the US on money earned overseas. (States may have different laws, though... you may need to pay something to the state, depending upon where you're from).

Don't worry, all of that is gone over if you're accepted as an ALT (along with a ton of other stuff... they really help you out and get you adjusted as a JET, and provide a full support network, unlike private teaching jobs). Also, if you end up working for a private company rather than the Japanese government as a JET, you may need to pay taxes on that in Japan, but I don't know how that works.

What? I don't know where you were or what it was like back in the day, but JET's definitely pay income tax and pension fees. The pension you receive back when you leave Japan. It is around 40k yen out of your pay compared to the income tax I have to pay (10k) which I can receive most of it back. I have to fill out forms just like the JET's, but it is fairly easy. The exemption for US income tax is for people earning up to 60k USD a year. After that, you have to pay. You will still file, whether over or under 60k USD.

Not only will a level 3 cert increase your chances, it should (non-JET) increase your income to the tune of 10,000 yen a month. As a matter of fact, it is written into my contract. To be quite blunt, if you have a level 2 and you're teaching English, you're wasting your time and talent.

Do you know what Interac asks of their potential hires? They have you do the standard interview, followed by a personality test, and then you make a five minute video introducing yourself in Japanese if you can and demo lesson. Five minutes to demo a fifty minute lesson without any idea of what level or grade you should be targeting. Then they take the video and show it to prospective schools. A video and personality test are a little bit overboard in my opinion for an ALT position. Seriously, talk about a complete waste of time when I can get hired for the same pay simply based on a resume and 10 minute phone call.

You do have to pay pension fees, but you can recover them. You can get 80% back on your own, and you are allowed to will the remaining 20% to a Japanese national. Most JETS (including myself) do this with a trusted Japanese friend or colleague, and they in turn pay you that amount.

But JETs (depending upon your country of origin) either pay no income tax, or your salary is automatically increased enough to pay the taxes, such that everyone gets 3.6 million yen per year. I paid no Japanese income tax. And since 3.6 million yen is much lower than $60,000 US, you don't pay federal income tax in the US so long as you are out of the country at least 330 days. But you do still have to file and state that you are exempt, you can't just not submit anything.

The JET Programme - Aspiring JETs - Application FAQ

Nice, sounds like it's certainly worth that 50 bucks then =P I'd read somewhere that the level 4 and 3 were a bit useless and not worth doing, but I guess to become an English teacher it might be enough. I've only been studying a year though, just planning to take level 3 at the end of this year, since my course will be roughly at that level by then. Thanks!

I keep hearing bad stories about Interac =/ Doesn't sound very appealing.

You know, some people actually enjoy teaching English, and find it a rewarding career.

I think I would if I were at a university teaching writing. There are only so many times I can do bingo, karuta and hangman, and I think the limit was reached and breached quite a while ago.

ps~Thank you 2x 0, I didn't know that was the case.

I know it's been a long time, but something just came to mind for me. How do references work here? How do you know who to choose to write you a reference letter? I know I read someplace that it's best to use an academic reference or some kind of a teacher who knows you. What other types of people would work as an acceptable reference? Classmates? Coworkers?

I've heard that if you'll be graduating just before going to JET you need at least one of the references to be from a lecturer. Other than that I guess you just choose people who can attest to your professional attitude/interest in Japan/teaching ability etc. and who have some kind of authority - I vaguely remember reading something about having to have it printed on a letterhead from the business/education institution? I think even if you can use references from classmates or coworkers, their opinion will possibly carry less weight in terms of a professional or academic reference.

I plan to ask my kung fu teacher (for culture, teaching experience, international experience and because I think he'll let me write it for myself anyway >_>) and my Japanese teacher or boss, both of whom are very nice and may be inclined to write something nice about me.