Get to know Sean Bramble, an Assistant English Teacher (yes, before the title morphed into Assistant Language Teacher) on the JET Program in Nagasaki Prefecture from 1992 to 1995.⁠

by: James Gannon (Ehime, 1992–1994)

Despite early criticism from home and abroad, Japan has quietly responded better than every other major rich country to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting its death rate to less than one-fifth that of the United States. In this essay, Japan expert Jim Gannon (Ehime, 1992–1994) draws on nearly two decades of experience working on global health issues to analyze how Japan managed do better than so man other countries in protecting its citizens and what the United States and the rest of the world can learn from this in order to be better prepared for the next pandemic.

“Sports are such a great way to make friends. And with friendship comes a certain level of comfortability and confidence in trying new things—like speaking English.”

In this update, we had the opportunity to sit down with Adam to discuss his project, his love for American Football, and how the community of Yabu has grown to love football too.

JET alum Sarah Wada (Niigata 2017-2020) reminisces on her time hiking the mountains of Japan and explains how she began the hiking group Niigata Hikers.

by: Gil Breit (Gunma Prefecture,1989-1990)

JET Program alumnus Gil Breit (Gunma, 1989-1990), a counterterrorism expert, outlines how U.S.-Japan defense cooperation on outer space has evolved and why growing coordination to protect satellites, defend against space-based weaponry, and other outer space initiatives are such an integral part of the bilateral alliance.

by: Dylan Rhoads (Yamanashi, 1996-1999)

In a thought-provoking essay, JET Program alumni Dylan Rhoads (Yamanashi 1996-1999) reflects on what Americans and others should learn from the respect and value that Japanese culture accords food

“The night is here, come out and dance,” sings the upbeat spin on an old folksong, “Yosakoi, Yosakoi!” Yosakoi has since become the name of Japan’s most spirited festival dance form. . . .

by: Jonathan Brewster (Shiga, 2007-2010) and Anne Hooghart (Shiga, 1989-1990)

As borders closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, educators scrambled to replace U.S.-Japan study abroad programs and in-person exchanges with online programming. Jonathan Brewster and Anne Hooghart detail the online exchanges they have personally overseen.