Leaving the JET Programme

A list of things to prepare

leaving JET, packing up, changing jobs — All good things must come to an end. You’ve told your contracting organisation that you won’t be staying another year on JET, and now comes the hard part: transitioning off the JET Programme. It may be difficult and stressful to move to another country (or even another part of Japan), but if you prepare in advance and follow these steps, you’ll find that it’s not as impossible as it seems.

2 - 3 Months Before

Inform your landlord

This depends on your contract, but it would be wise to tell your landlord 2 - 3 months before that you’re moving out. If your CO organises your accommodation, check if they will do this for you. Make sure you know if you can leave all your furniture inside, or have to start selling it off.

Check your Status of Residence

For third-year JETs, your visa may run out on the day you fly out of Japan. If you want to stay longer in Japan for travel or job-seeking reasons, you’ll have to change your status to Temporary Visitor. Furthermore, if you continue working in Japan for a different company, you have to update your employment details with your local immigration bureau (for Fukushima residents, the main one is in Koriyama).

For more information on how to change your Status of Residence, please refer to this section of the JET Handbook.

Send belongings home / to your new residence

Airmail is the fastest but most expensive option, so consider other options such as seamail. This will take 2 - 3 months, but is much more economical. There are also companies such as Send My Bag that will take suitcases and large boxes. Give yourself lots of time to plan this, and make sure you can weigh, measure, and list the contents of your packages.

Complete the ‘After JET Contact Information Survey’

To assist JET Alumni in maintaining connections to JET and Japan, CLAIR will collect your contact information around June. It may also be a good idea to send your information to JETAA (JET Alumni Associations).

1 - 2 Months Before

Preparing for your successor

Some COs will let you contact your successor directly, but others will not, so make sure you leave behind helpful information in written form. Create a checklist of things you wish you’d known, or things your own successor told you, and make sure to pass this information on. Even something small such as an English guide to the washing machine can go a long way for a new, jet-lagged JET (couldn’t resist). Include information on work responsibilities, but try to keep it positive even if there’s a JTE you dislike. Your successor might get on with this JTE better than you, and it’s best to avoid giving them pre-made judgements. Keep it light, and wish them luck!

Oh, and don’t forget the password for the school computer.

Begin pension refund procedures

It’s a lot of bureaucratic work, but it’s worth it for the sum. To receive a partial refund of your pension, you must obtain the necessary forms and designate a tax agent before leaving Japan. Refer to the JET Handbook for more information.

1 Month Before

Certificate of Employment and references

CLAIR can’t provide JETs with written references ( 在職証明書), so make sure to ask a JTE, supervisor, or other colleague for these before you leave. If they can’t write it for you in English, ask if you can write it and they can sign it. You can find a sample reference letter here. As for Certificates of Employment, ask your contracting organisation to provide this.

Forward mail to new residence (if staying in Japan)

If you are moving to a new address in Japan, you may apply online or at a post office to have your mail forwarded from your current address to your new address for one year from a designated date. If you’re leaving the country and your successor isn’t moving into your apartment, arrange to have your mail forwarded to a friend, colleague, or your CO.

Pay bills, cancel services

Be sure to pay the following utility and service bills and inform the utility or service provider when you would like the service cancelled. Please note that while some services can be cancelled online or over the phone, cancelling your cell phone often requires you to visit the store in person to cancel your contract.

**Utilities and Services**

Gas
Electricity
Water
TV (NHK etc.)
Credit Card
Internet
Car Insurance
Local Residence Tax
Cell Phone
Any other services registered to bank account

Plan for the Future

You may have conquered culture shock already (or found ways of coping with it), but I’m afraid Reverse Culture Shock is also a thing. You might find it hard to re-adjust to your country’s mannerisms, or feel a loss of independence and shared understanding amongst your friends. Many people in your home country will not understand the highs and lows of living in Japan, so keep in contact with your JET friends and reach out to your local branch of AJET. Get involved in all things Japan, keep your hobbies going, keep studying Japanese. It might be hard at first, but you’ll adjust to your new life just as you adjusted to Japan.

Planning for the future will also relieve some stress. See here for information on the After JET Conference and Careers Fair, where you can network and plan out your future career. For a list of transferable skills from JET, check out this document. Don’t forget to reach out to fellow JET alumni! Even after you’ve left Japan, you won’t be alone.

Finally, see here for the Fukushima handbook on leaving JET.

Change can be terrifying, but also exciting. You may be leaving JET behind, but you have your whole future to come.