Counselling

General

Prefectural Advisors

General

Q: I’m having a tough time of it right now. Where can I go for some advice or counseling?

A: One of the great benefits of being on the JET Programme is having easy access to a very extensive counseling system. If you have a problem or just need someone to talk to, you’ve got lots of good options.

  • Start with your fellow JETs if you need someone to talk to without worrying about language barriers
  • Your workmates at school or in your office are bound to be helpful
  • It’s your supervisor’s job to help you out
  • If you can’t talk to your supervisor about things easily, your Prefectural Advisor (PA) is a good option
  • CLAIR operates the very useful JET Line during working hours through the week – (03) 5213-1729
  • For serious problems, CLAIR is able to source professional advice and consultation from members of their Counseling System Committee
  • The Minstry of Education ALT Advisor, Mr Huw Oliphant, is available to talk about your work situation – 03-3593-6263
  • After working hours, you can call the AJET Peer Support Group for a chat or advice from fellow JETs – 050-5534-5566
  • CLAIR has a system of Self-Support Group Leaders for speakers of languages other than English – call the CLAIR JET Line (03) 5213-1729 for their details
  • There are also lots of non-JET counseling options, including for example the Tokyo English Life Line – 03-5774-0992

Details for many of these services are also listed in your JET Diary.

Q: Does CLAIR offer any counseling?

A: Yes. CLAIR operates the JET Line during working hours, and can also refer you directly to the CLAIR Counseling System Committee, a group of English-speaking counseling professionals who are specifically available to assist JET Programme participants.

Q: What is the CLAIR JET Line?

A: The JET Line is a service operated by CLAIR from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:45, where JETs are able to call in and seek advice regarding any matters associated with their JET situation or their life in Japan. The JET Line is answered in English by a JET Programme Coordinator (PC). All of CLAIR’s PCs are former JETs who have received training in counseling techniques and are very well versed in JET Programme issues. The JET Line number is 03-3591-5489.

Q: What is the AJET Peer Support Group?

A: The AJET Peer Support Group is a helpline run and staffed entirely by volunteers with psychology, helpline or counseling experience, all of whom are current JET Programme participants. PSG operates every day of the year from 8pm till 7am, to provide a safety net for JETs outside working hours. Information given in calls made to the PSG helpline is kept strictly confidential. Any enquiries about PSG and how to get involved as a volunteer can be made to psg@ajet.net. The Peer Support Group helpline number is toll free at 050-5534-5566.

Q: How can I find out where my nearest English-speaking counselor is?

A: Your first stop would probably be your Prefectural Advisor. PAs keep a list of counseling services available in their area, so call your PA if you want a referral to a professional service. The CLAIR JET Line is also helpful in this respect. Not only is the JET Line answered in English and capable of providing limited phone counseling on the spot, the staff at CLAIR also have access to a list of English-speaking counseling services and can refer you directly to the CLAIR Counseling System Committee, a group of English-speaking counseling professionals who are specifically available to assist JET Programme participants. If you need to speak to someone in English after working hours, the AJET Peer Support Group is a good option – the volunteers who answer the PSG helpline can also refer to a list of counseling services in your area.

Q: English is not my native language. Can I get counseling in other languages?

A: If you are comfortable speaking in Japanese, besides for your workmates and supervisor, you can contact the JET Programme Coordinator in your prefecture, or you can call the CLAIR JET Line and speak with a Japanese member of staff.

If you would be more comfortable speaking in your native tongue, CLAIR can refer you to its Self-Support Group Leaders for advice in the following languages:

  • Korean
  • Spanish
  • German
  • French
  • Portuguese
  • Russian

CLAIR is also able to refer you to other foreign language counseling services.

Prefectural Advisors

Q: What are the requirements for someone to become a Prefectural Advisor?

A: A Prefectural Advisor (PA) is a JET whose job duties specifically include providing support to other JETs in their prefecture. Often they also have other duties that depend on the Contracting Organisation in which they work – for example, a PA working in the international affairs division of a Prefectural Office is also likely to have official translating and international relations duties, on top of their JET support role. Therefore, the requirements for becoming a PA will vary depending on the prefecture and the needs of local JETs. Generally speaking, though, a PA should have a good command of written and spoken Japanese, in order to communicate with Japanese staff in their own workplace and also in the workplaces of other JETs. They should be willing to help others and be capable of communicating effectively with a range of different people. In the course of their job, they will also receive training in counseling techniques, which they should be able to put to good use. Finally, they need to understand how the JET Programme works and have some appreciation of the nature of Japanese workplaces and life in Japan generally.

Q: Who can I complain to if I am unsatisfied with my Prefectural Advisor?

A: As a JET, your PA is also working under the supervision of a Japanese staff member in their workplace, so you could possibly start with that individual if you are confident of being able to communicate with them. However, if you don’t know how to contact them or can’t speak easily with them, another good option is to contact the CLAIR JET Line with your problem. Not only can they most probably provide good advice regarding your original problem, if there needs to be follow-up regarding your Prefectural Advisor, CLAIR has the contacts to do this.