Country guide
Teach English in Japan
JET, eikaiwa chains, and ALT positions. Pay is steady, vacation is short.
Japan's ESL market is mature and competitive. JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) is the government program and the most prestigious entry point. Eikaiwa chains like Aeon, ECC, and Gaba hire continuously and place teachers in conversation schools. ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) roles through dispatch companies put you in public schools alongside a Japanese teacher.
Open positions in Japan
5 active listings mentioning Japan.
English Instructor (Eikaiwa)
Sakura English Studio · Tokyo, Japan · Full-time
Teach Abroad in Japan – Paid Public School Teaching Positions
RVF International · Various · Full-time
A Full Time English teacher is needed in Tokushima, Japan
Squbee English · Various · Full-time
English Teaching Opportunities — Online & In-Person in Japan
CES Continental English school · Various · Full-time
Assistant Language Teachers in Japan
Interac · Across Japan, Japan · Contract
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Salary
JET: 3.36M JPY for first year, scales up year over year. Eikaiwa: 250k to 280k JPY per month. ALT dispatch: 230k to 270k JPY per month. Cost of living outside Tokyo is reasonable.
Visa
Instructor visa or Specialist in Humanities visa. Bachelor's required. Native English speaker preference for most roles. JET requires application by November for the following August start.
Best for
Teachers committed to staying multiple years and learning Japanese. The pay does not stretch as far as Korea, but career stability and quality of life are high.
Common questions about teaching in Japan
JET vs eikaiwa vs ALT dispatch — which should I apply to?
JET if you can wait 9 months for a placement and want a public school role with full benefits. Eikaiwa if you want to start within 60 days and are okay with evening hours. ALT dispatch is the fallback when you are already in Japan and need work.
Can I save money teaching in Japan?
Less than in Korea or the Gulf. Most teachers cover living costs comfortably and save 30k to 80k JPY per month outside Tokyo.
Do I need Japanese language skills?
Not to teach. Daily life in major cities works fine without it. Smaller towns are harder without basic Japanese.
Tools for teachers
What you'll need to teach in Japan
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Visa guides for Japan
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Teach English in specific cities in Japan
Other countries in Asia
Teach in South Korea
EPIK, hagwons, and university roles. E-2 visa support is standard.
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International schools, training centers, and universities. Pay is the highest in Asia.
Teach in Vietnam
Booming demand, low cost of living, and flexible hours.
Teach in Thailand
Lifestyle-first teaching with lower pay and lots of vacation.
Teach in Taiwan
Buxiban (cram school) work plus growing public school programs.
Teach in Cambodia
The easiest legal entry point in Asia. No degree required by law.