Teaching English is one of the most common ways foreign residents earn income in Japan — both as a primary career path and as flexible supplementary income. The sector ranges from government-sponsored programs to private conversation schools to independent freelancing.
The JET Programme
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JETプログラム) is the Japanese government’s flagship foreign-resident program — placing approximately 5,500 participants annually in schools and government offices as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). Eligibility: citizens of participating countries (60+ nations), under 40 years old (in most countries), bachelor’s degree in any field — teaching qualification is not required. Applications open each September for placement the following July. Terms: initial 1-year contract renewable up to 5 years (some countries cap at 3); salary ¥280,000/month (JET 1st year) rising to ¥396,000+ for re-contracting years; housing subsidy varies by placement. Placement: primarily public elementary, middle, and high schools; placements range from central Tokyo to rural Hokkaido villages. JET provides visa, health insurance, and orientation; housing is arranged by the contracting organization. The programme provides cultural immersion beyond language teaching — CIRs work in international divisions of prefectural and municipal governments. JET alumni network (JETAA) is a globally active community providing ongoing professional connections.
Eikaiwa: Private English Conversation Schools
Eikaiwa (英会話, English conversation schools) form Japan’s largest private English teaching sector. Major chains: NOVA (ノバ): Japan’s largest eikaiwa chain with 300+ schools nationwide; group and private lessons; hires native English speakers with bachelor’s degree. ECC: strong in Kansai with national presence. GABA: premium one-on-one only model targeting business professionals. Berlitz Japan: premium multi-language adult education. Shane English Schools: primarily children’s English education. Employment conditions: typical salaries ¥250,000–300,000/month for full-time eikaiwa teachers; schedule includes evenings and weekends when students are available; term contracts of 1 year; visa sponsorship provided. Criticism: the eikaiwa sector has a history of labor disputes — some chains have poor working conditions, sudden contract changes, and inadequate preparation time. Research specific schools thoroughly via Dave’s ESL Café Japan forum, Reddit r/teachinginjapan, and GaijinPot Reviews before signing. International schools: premium private schools (British School in Japan, Tokyo International School, Canadian Academy) hire qualified teachers (PGCE, teaching certification required) at substantially higher salaries (¥500,000–700,000/month) with genuine teaching roles — competitive but sustainable careers.
ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) Market
Beyond JET, a large private market of dispatch ALT companies places foreign residents in public schools. Major dispatch companies: Interac (インタラック): Japan’s largest private ALT dispatch company placing 8,000+ ALTs in public schools across Japan. Altia Central, Heart English School, and Borderlink are other significant dispatch operators. Employment model: dispatch ALTs are employed by the dispatch company (not directly by the school board); schools pay the dispatch company which pays the ALT. This creates the “dispatch gap” — ALTs may be paid significantly less than direct-hire equivalents doing identical work. Salaries: typically ¥200,000–250,000/month. Direct hire ALTs: some municipalities hire ALTs directly through their board of education — better salaries (¥270,000–350,000), clearer employment status, and better benefits. Check individual city and town education board websites for openings. Working conditions: ALT roles vary enormously by school — some ALTs design curriculum and lead classes independently; others sit at the back of class and repeat phrases when pointed to. Clarify the expected role during interview. School holidays (summer, winter, spring) are typically paid vacation periods.
Private Tutoring & Freelance Teaching
Independent English tutoring is the highest-earning model for experienced resident teachers — bypassing school and dispatch company margins. Platforms: italki (international): Japanese learners book international tutors directly; strong volume but commission (15%). Cafetalk (カフェトーク): Japan-focused lesson marketplace for language, music, and cooking lessons; lower commission. Preply: international platform with growing Japanese user base. Direct client development: community boards (スーパーなどの掲示板), neighborhood Facebook groups, and GaijinPot classifieds attract direct tutoring clients. Business English tutoring commands ¥5,000–10,000/hour; conversational tutoring ¥3,000–5,000/hour. Business English: corporate clients (often arranged through training company intermediaries) pay ¥8,000–15,000/hour for in-company group sessions. Tax obligations: freelance teaching income is taxable in Japan; file a kakutei shinkoku (確定申告, final tax return) annually in March. Registration as a sole proprietor (個人事業主) with the tax office is recommended. The blue return system (青色申告) allows significant deductions — consult a tax professional for setup.
Qualifications & Professional Development
Professional qualifications improve both employment quality and earning potential. CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, Cambridge): the most widely recognized initial teaching qualification; intensive 4-week course offered in Japan at British Council Tokyo and other centers (¥150,000–200,000). Strongly recommended before entering the eikaiwa or private tutoring market. DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults): the advanced qualification; typically pursued after 2+ years of teaching experience. TESOL/TEFL: various online and in-person certifications — quality varies enormously; 120-hour certified courses are the minimum standard. Teaching license: Japan’s public school system recognizes foreign equivalent teaching licenses (小学校教諭免許, etc.) for specialist roles — conversion procedures exist through prefectural education boards. University English teaching: university lecturer positions (大学講師, daigaku kōshi) require at least a master’s degree and ideally a PhD; compensation ¥350,000–600,000/month; strong job security; JREC-IN portal (jrecin.jst.go.jp) lists university faculty openings in English.
English teaching in Japan provides a reliable entry point into resident economic life — from JET’s structured government program to independent tutoring’s income ceiling, the sector offers multiple paths that can be combined strategically as Japanese skills develop alongside teaching experience.