Most of you who apply for Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) jobs already know a bit about the job involved. As a major step towards improving English language education in Japan, the Japanese government introduced English language instruction from elementary to high schools. An ALT works together with a Japanese teacher to teach English in those schools. These teaching assignments are available in high schools, junior high schools and elementary schools throughout Japan.
This is a question each gaijin asks himself/herself before entering to this land of rising sun (and cutting-edge technology). The biggest hurdle as we gaijin see is the language/communication. However, my general advice would be not to worry too much about it. People are friendly here and most of them can speak at least a few words in English.
Adapting a Japanese lifestyle may seem difficult but as you start living you get adapted to it natuarally. So what are those unique qualities that indicate a person turning towards a Japanese lifestyle? Here are some indications that may make you realize that you are adapting this lifestyle!
The number of foreigners coming to Japan has increased in recent decades. There has been a demand for native language teachers, in particular English teachers for Japanese primary schools and private language schools. There is also a high demand for IT professionals to cater to the demands of IT savvy Japanese companies. The living conditions in Japan are comfortable because of all ultra-modern gadgets and Japan 's super high-density very punctual railway network. However, day to day life in Japan can be different from what some foreigners are accustomed to in their home countries.
A Tokai University team has developed a display system that combines sights, smells and air currents for an enhanced experience while viewing the screen as reported in Nikkei.
A green tax will be introduced by the government from October. The new tax on oil, coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels is meant to reduce emissions of the carbon dioxide blamed for global warming. This will be an additional tax on the existing oil and coal tax, and it will be hiked further in April 2014 and April 2016. The additional revenues will be used to promote renewable energies and to support power-saving initiatives by businesses and households. On an avarage the rise in the cost will be around ¥14yen and ¥10 per household for electricity and gas respectively.
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan and with its full height of 634.0 meters, it is the tallest tower in the world. Twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it is only the second tallest structure in the world after Burj Khalifa (829.84 m). Led by Tobu Railway and a group of six terrestrial broadcasters headed by NHK, the tower project forms the centerpiece of a large commercial development in northeastern Tokyo with a reported cost of 44 billion yen. The project was completed on 29 February 2012 and the tower was open to the public on 22 May 2012.
One of its main purposes is to relay television and radio broadcast signals since the Tokyo Tower (which is used to be the tallest tower in Tokyo areas with a height of 333 m) is now surrounded by many high-rise buildings. According to some news report, an estimated 200,000 people braved heavy rain on that day to watch this newest attraction in the Japan’s capital.
I was an ALT on the JET programme for 3 years and then worked as a private ALT for two years, from 2000 to 2005. I loved it and loved being immersed in the country-side. I always aimed to deliver fun, memorable but educational classes and I think in general the students, teachers and people of the towns liked having me around.
I am a foreigner but my heart is in Japan.
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The number of foreigners coming to Japan has increased in recent decades. There has been a demand for native language teachers, in particular English teachers for Japanese primary schools and private language schools. There is also a high demand for IT professionals to cater to the demands of IT savvy Japanese companies. The living conditions in Japan are comfortable because of all ultra-modern gadgets and Japan 's super high-density very punctual railway network. However, day to day life in Japan can be different from what some foreigners are accustomed to in their home countries.
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan and with its full height of 634.0 meters, it is the tallest tower in the world. Twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it is only the second tallest structure in the world after Burj Khalifa (829.84 m). Led by Tobu Railway and a group of six terrestrial broadcasters headed by NHK, the tower project forms the centerpiece of a large commercial development in northeastern Tokyo with a reported cost of 44 billion yen. The project was completed on 29 February 2012 and the tower was open to the public on 22 May 2012. 
