Thirteen Jamaicans head to Japan under JET programme

Thirteen Jamaicans have been selected to serve as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) to Japan under the 2026 JET Programme. The selected participants were given a send-off reception on Thursday, July 23 at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence.

Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, Kohei Maruyama, called on the participants to carry on the rich legacy of their predecessors and take the programme as an enriching experience. “the JET programme participants are real cultural ambassadors who have left and are leaving an indelible mark on Japanese classrooms and communities. In Jamaica, we are fortunate that upon return, alumni members, including the original members of participants, have been helping us promote Japan-Jamaica relations.”

Sheila Sealy Monteith, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, concurred with Ambassador Maruyama, calling upon the participants to be Jamaica’s ambassadors, to spread the culture and values that the island brings to the world.

Ambassador Maruyama highlighted the continued growth and strengthening of the bilateral relations between the two countries and the “enduring strength of the shared bond supported by JET participants, including original members, and also by the Government of Jamaica, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, among others.”

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the sister-region agreement between the parish of Westmoreland and Tottori Prefecture.

“... this deep connection is beautifully sustained by JET participants. Since last August, Ms. Christine Day has been doing fantastic work in Tottori as the very first Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA) from Jamaica. And we have another participant heading to Tottori this year as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT).”

Amb Sealy Monteith in her remarks also wished the newly departing JET participants a safe and wonderful journey, and called this exchange a deeprooted pillar of the Japan-Jamaica (J-J) partnership.

Since 2000, the Embassy of Japan has sent over 470 Jamaicans to serve as Assistant Language Teachers to Japan under the JET Programme. Last year, for the first time in Jamaica, the JET Programme expanded to include a Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA). SEAs engage in internationalisation activities through designated sports such as track and field.