HAJET Home Page

MEMBERS! Visit the HAJET NEWS page to get up to the minute information and features! Also check out the new 1998 Summer Meeting Photo Album!

NEWCOMERS! Visit the HAJET ONLINE PRE-DEPARTURE MANUAL for advice from the professionals!

What is HAJET?

HAJET, or Hokkaido Association of Japan Exchange and Teaching, is the Hokkaido branch of the Association of Japan Exchange and Teaching, the national organization of the JET Program.

What is the JET Program?

The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program, supported by the Japanese Ministy of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), employs over 5030 participants from 18 countries throughout Japan. Participants work in assisting with foreign language education and promoting internationalization as Assistant English Teachers (AETs), Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs), or Sports Exchange Assitants (SEAs). Currently, the prefecture of Hokkaido hosts over 160 AETs and CIRs. HAJET is the primary representative body for these JET participants.

Our Vision

To enrich and expand the life experience of Japanese culture through the exchange of culture and language.

Our Mission

To serve the needs of foreigners living in Hokkaido actively involved in the pursuit of HAJET's vision.

Our Goals

To provide social support to Hokkaido JETs through regular meetings and a communication network.
Providing information services to aid JETs in their adaption to Japanese culture
Providing professional training and development opportunities and materials
Advocating educational reform
Serving as a liason between members and local and national administrative bodies
Supporting projects which further cultural and language exchange

What does HAJET do?

HAJET's activities include a wide range of events, publications, and services which reach out to thousands of JETs, schoolchildren, and Japanese citizens each year.

Membership-based activities are at the core of our efforts. They include our three seasonal general membership meetings, regional welcome parties for new JETs, a support and contact network via fax, phone, and mail; plus organizational representation.

Our publications department includes our monthly newsletter for members, the Polestar, the Newcomer's Manual for incoming JETs, and our ever-expanding book series. We are a publishing powerhouse with over 8 titles out and more on the way!

Public service and outreach activities are also a vital part of HAJET's mission. The English Challenge Cup, an entirely-HAJET run event, offers Japanese students the opportunity to compete in a Hokkaido-wide communicative English comepetition. The English Challenge Cup Summer Camp for successful contestants is part of that outreach. Additionally, HAJET supports a number of public events with finances, personnel, and advertising.

Where does the real fun begin? Check out

Members wanting up to date information should go to

Contact Information

1998-9 Officer Rosters and Contact Info is available!

Helen Blower

Telephone: (1081)-0125-77-2150 (Junior High); (0181)-0125-77-2321 (Uryu-cho Board of Education)

FAX: (0181)-0125-77-2323

Postal address: Uryu-cho Board of Education, Uryu-cho 6 ku, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido 078-26


Electronic mail: Webmaster: wkjonas@gol.com