Congratulations to JET/MEF alum, Leonard Schoppa (Kumamoto, 1984-1985),for being awarded the prestigious imperial decoration, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his academic contributions and his work to strengthen US-Japan relations.

Explore U.S. job opportunities after JET in this virtual event with Pasona, covering industries, job search tips, and how to leverage your experience for career success.

USJETAA is looking for writers interested in submitting abstracts to be considered for our 2025-26 cycle of JETs on Japan publications. This is a quarterly publication with articles that focus on JET perspectives on US-Japan relations. We encourage JET alumni to draw upon their work in different fields to contribute to a deeper understanding of US-Japan relations, while also elevating the visibility of exceptional alumni.

This May, Japan Society of Boston featured Jessica Smith (Okinawa, 2003-2006), in their JSB meets JET Alumni series. Jessica reflects on her time living in Naha. She shared how the U.S. military presence influenced local cuisine, including Taco Rice, a GI-inspired favorite, and Goya Champuru.

The early 2000s were simpler times. Social media was non-existent, the internet was in its infancy, and innovations like YouTube, AI, and the iPhone were still years away. My only connection to the world beyond Japan was a small flip phone that could send text messages of about 20 characters….

Get ready for a Super Sando Special! Join us on Friday, May 16 at 6:00 PM ET to learn how to make fluffy, flavorful Japanese sando—perfect for your summer picnic lineup!

Join us on Friday, May 9th, 7 -8:30pm ET to explore pathways into Japanese language education, from credentialing and certification to navigating career opportunities in K-12 and higher education.

In May, we will be reading the first few pages of Kawamura Genki's novel 私の馬 (My Horse) on Friday, May 9 at 7 PM ET.