Kelly McFarland Stratman (Oita, 1993-1996)

When I lived in Japan on the JET Program in the 1990s, Japan was leading the world in technology, transportation, and telecommunications. In the very rural corner of Kyushu where I was assigned as an ALT, ancient Buddhist carvings sat down the road from a computer manufacturer, and a state-of-the art hovercraft transported travelers from the prefectural airport to the capital across Beppu Bay. Japan was synonymous with electronics and innovation, and the eyes of the world were on them…

JETs on Japan: Q4 2026

It’s always been difficult to predict what Jomo Mulholland will be doing and where he’ll be. He’s often been willing to take on new challenges around the world. Despite Jomo’s success in the private and public sectors, working in fields such as hospitality, tourism, translation, and overseeing multi-million dollar real estate investments, he finds himself coming back full circle to Japan.

Join us on Friday, Oct 9 at 8pm ET | Saturday, Oct 10 at 9am JT to read the second part of the essay ふきのとう (Fukinotou, the edible flower of the giant butterbur plant) by French literature scholar and essayist Naoko Kasama from her award winning collection 山影の町から (From the Town in the Shadow of the Mountain).

It’s inevitable. JETs get together, they start talking about how much they love and miss Japan, and sooner or later someone says “Wouldn’t it be great to have a place in Japan?” We all get dreamy-eyed and nod. But, what if it wasn’t such a impossibility after all? Join us to explore the dream every JET has- owning a home in Japan! Oct 16 (US) & Oct 17 (JP). See you and your dreams there!

USJETAA is extremely proud to welcome Harling Immigration Law as our newest JET Alum-Owned Business Sponsor! Founded by Nick Harling (Mie, 2001–2003), the Charlotte, North Carolina–based firm helps individuals, companies, and organizations navigate the U.S. immigration system.

Emily Frank (Hokkaido, 2002–2008) will lead our 2026 Q4 Career Coaching cohort with the theme Career Clarity Reset: Start Where You Are. Who you are matters in your career path and the only one who gets to define your success is you. This workshop series will be especially helpful for recently returned JETs, although Emily has extensive experience working with JETs in all phases of their career journey.

Come join us for our next Japanese coaching session!

Our Photo of the Month for September comes from Anne Hooghart (Shiga, 1989-1990) who returned to her beloved JET furusato!