Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA)

NOTE to SEA Applicants: There are currently no SEA openings for the 2009 JET Program. Please check back in February 2009 to find out if we are recruiting at that time.

SEAs promote international exchange activities through certain designated sports. They are generally placed in sporting facilities or boards of education from which they assist in sports training.

The Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA) position, a type of CIR, was introduced in the 1994 JET Program year. The goal of the SEA position is to promote international exchange in Japan through assistance in sports training and the planning of sports related projects. SEAs are generally placed in sporting facilities or boards of education from which they assist in sports training. SEAs are involved in coaching a variety of sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and the ski-jump. As of July, 2008, there were 10 SEAs from 6 countries participating in the JET Program.

For U.S. applicants, one or two SEA positions generally become available in the spring of each year. U.S. applicants are usually recruited for basketball or volleyball although this can also vary. If you are a U.S. citizen and are interested in the SEA position, please contact the JET Program Office at (202) 238-6772/3 or jet@embjapan.org for information on the available SEA position. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the Embassy of Japan or Consulate General of Japan in your home country for further information.

U.S. applicants for the SEA position must apply through the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and must interview at the Embassy or one of the 16 Consulates General of Japan in the U.S. and Guam. Successful candidates for the SEA position usually depart for Japan in mid-August of each year.

 

Eligibility

 

In general, applicants for the position of SEA must:

  1. Be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of that interest after arrival;
  2. Be both mentally and physically healthy;
  3. Have the ability to adapt to living and working conditions in Japan, which could be significantly different from those experienced in the applicant's home country;
  4. Obey all Japanese laws;
  5. Be a citizen (not just a permanent resident) of the country where the recruitment and selection takes place;
  6. In principle, be under 40 years of age as of the application deadline;
  7. Excel in a certain sports field and be recommended by either the participating countries' National Olympic Committee (NOC) or government organization. Alternatively, the applicant should have equivalent abilities and recommendations. Furthermore it is necessary to have a recognized and prestigious coaching certification/qualification from a vocational college or to have at least 3 years of coaching experience in one's specialized sports field;
  8. Not have been a former participant of the program in the last 10 years.
  9. Not have declined a position with the JET Program in the last program year after receiving notification of placement. However, exceptions to this rule may be made in cases where it is determined that the participant has a valid, unavoidable reason for withdrawing;
  10. As of November 25, 2008 not have lived in Japan for a total of 3 or more years since 2001;
  11. Be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community;
  12. Have a functional command of English or Japanese. (Some contracting organizations do require SEAs to have a functional command of both languages.);
  13. Hold at least a Bachelor's degree or obtain one by the application deadline;
  14. Agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Act when entering Japan for the purpose of JET Program participation (this applies primarily to military personnel or their dependents stationed in Japan).