English Teaching Jobs in Japan
Excellent salaries up to ¥3 million a year, with full visa sponsorship and housing support.
Applications now open · 2026 intakes
Teach English in Japan
with Interac
Join Japan's largest private ALT provider. Earn a competitive salary, receive housing support, flight reimbursement and full visa sponsorship — no Japanese required.
¥3M
Maximum annual salary
$1,200 USD
Flight reimbursement
50+
Years placing teachers
0
Application fees
Everything you need to thrive in Japan
Interac handles the logistics so you can focus on teaching. Here's what's included in your package.
Flight reimbursement
Up to USD $1,200 towards your return airfare, paid in two instalments with your salary.
Housing support
Interac sources an apartment close to your assigned school. You'll be guided to local shops and providers on arrival.
Full visa sponsorship
Interac manages your Instructor Visa application. Visa and registration costs are fully reimbursed on provision of receipts.
Health insurance
You'll be enrolled in Japan's national health insurance system, with staff helping you obtain your insurance card on arrival.
12 monthly salary payments
A consistent monthly income of 2.4–3 million yen per year — 12 equal payments, year-round.
Transport reimbursement
Approved commuting costs reimbursed monthly. Driving positions include a vehicle position allowance.
Competitive pay for a comfortable life
Japan is an affordable, safe and exceptionally well-connected country to live in. Here's how the finances stack up.
¥2.4–3M
Per year
Roughly £13,000–£16,500 GBP / $16,000–$20,000 USD. Sufficient for a comfortable single-person lifestyle in Japan.
- 12 equal monthly payments — no gaps
- Average national rent for Interac ALTs: ~¥53,000/mo
- Up to $1,200 USD flight reimbursement
- Bonus incentive possible upon successful renewal
- Driving position allowance where applicable
- Zero application or placement fees via TEFL UK
Do you qualify?
Requirements are straightforward — this role is accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Bachelor's degree (any subject)
From any accredited university — English, science, film, PE, architecture — all welcome.
Native-level English
Born and schooled in a recognised English-speaking country, or 12+ years of education entirely in English.
Eligible nationality / residency
Licensed from 30+ countries including UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Ireland, NZ and South Africa. Eligibility is based on residency.
Age 20 to late 50s
Must be able to complete a full year before Japan's statutory retirement age of 60.
No Japanese required
You'll teach alongside a Japanese Teacher of English. Interac staff support your daily-life set-up on arrival.
TEFL: beneficial but not required
Certificates like TEFL, TESOL and PGCE strengthen your application. Interac also provides internal training after you join.
How to apply through TEFL UK
Applying through TEFL UK means dedicated support at every step — at no cost to you.
1
Submit your application via the TEFL UK link
Click Apply on this page to reach the dedicated TEFL UK application portal. You'll create an Interac candidate profile with TEFL UK as your referring partner.
2
Document check and pre-screening
Interac reviews your degree, English background and eligibility. They'll contact you within a few working days.
3
Online interview and language assessment
A video interview assessing personality, motivation and professionalism, plus a short grammar and usage test. Brush up on syntax, parts of speech and standard American English spelling.
4
Offer and placement matching
Successful candidates receive a contract offer. You can indicate preferred regions — Interac genuinely tries to match preferences, though flexibility is appreciated.
5
Visa processing and Japan arrival
Interac manages your Instructor Visa, arranges housing, and provides local staff support on arrival. Most contracts start in April — mid-year starts also possible.
Where will you be placed?
Interac operates across all of Japan through five regional divisions — from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the west.
Urban & suburban
Regional hubs like Sapporo, Sendai or Kumamoto — excellent transport, food and culture. Major city centres are the least common placements.
Suburban & semi-rural
Many placements sit 1–2 hours from a major city. Lower costs, stronger community ties and authentic daily life.
Rural placements
Ideal for outdoor life, nature and deep cultural immersion. Nearby ALT networks and regular branch events keep you connected.
Placement requests are considered during the application process. Flexibility increases the likelihood of a fast placement.
Interac vs JET Programme
JET is well-known, but Interac offers distinct advantages — particularly for applicants who want to move faster and choose their path.
| Factor | Interac (via TEFL UK) | JET Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Application route | Apply year-round online | Annual government cycle only |
| Placement flexibility | Regional preferences considered | Government-assigned only |
| Contract renewal | No term limits | Maximum 5 years |
| Salary | ¥2.4–3M / year | ~¥3.36M starting / year |
| Flight | Up to $1,200 USD reimbursement | One-way flight provided |
| Housing | Sourced by Interac, tenant-funded | Varies by placement BOE |
| Competition | Lower — rolling intake | Very high — government selection |
| TEFL required | No | No |
Life as an ALT in Japan
Thousands of teachers have made the move. Here's what life looks like on the ground.
★★★★★
"The support I received getting set up in Japan was genuinely impressive. Local staff helped me register at city hall, open a bank account and find grocery stores. Within a week I felt settled."
Jamie R.
ALT, Miyagi Prefecture · UK applicant
★★★★★
"I was placed in a smaller city and it's been the best experience of my life. Low cost of living, incredibly kind students and colleagues, and I've travelled all over Japan on weekends."
Sarah T.
ALT, Shizuoka Prefecture · Australian applicant
★★★★★
"I was worried about the language barrier but it genuinely didn't matter. My JTE colleague handled everything at school and my students were wonderful. I've now recontracted for a third year."
Marcus O.
ALT, Fukuoka Prefecture · South African applicant
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you apply.
Do I need to speak Japanese? ⌄
No. Japanese is not a requirement. You'll teach alongside a Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) who handles school communication. Interac staff also support your daily-life set-up on arrival. Many teachers pick up conversational Japanese quickly.
Does my degree subject matter? ⌄
Not at all. Interac requires a bachelor's degree from any accredited university in any subject. The degree must be a full four-year bachelor's — technical diplomas and professional certifications are not recognised by Japanese immigration as equivalent.
When do contracts start? ⌄
Standard contracts start in April and run to the end of March. Mid-year starts are possible, running from your start month to the following March. There are no term limits on renewal.
Can I choose where in Japan I'm placed? ⌄
You can indicate regional preferences and Interac genuinely tries to accommodate them. Placement ultimately depends on school availability — flexibility significantly improves your chances of a faster placement.
Is there a TEFL certificate requirement? ⌄
No TEFL/TESOL/PGCE certificate is legally required, though one strengthens your application. Interac also provides its own internal training after you join. TEFL UK courses are excellent preparation before applying.
Why apply through TEFL UK rather than directly? ⌄
Applying through TEFL UK is completely free to you and gives you access to TEFL UK's recruitment guidance throughout the process. There is no cost or disadvantage to applying via a referring partner — this is standard practice in the industry.
Your adventure begins in April
Apply today · No fees · Applications open now
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