stevenwaseda comments

Thanks for trying to think through some of the JET issues and offer some constructive criticism. One of my concerns with nearly all articles critical of JET is they don't factor in some of the real long term benefits, or "Return On JET-vestment." For example, there are now around 60,000 JET alumni throughout the world most of whom feel some sort of lifetime connection to Japan. Post 3/11, this proved to be a huge benefit to Japan as JETs and JET alumni everywhere were able to facilitate a great deal of cross-border activity and help navigate significant challenges. Not that JETs/alums were the only people doing this, but a large number of this population might not have otherwise had any connection with Japan. Also, there are now significant numbers of ex-JETs working in the US State Dept, in academia, teaching Japanese in their home countries, staffing Japan Societies and other Japan-related cultural organizations that provide great economic, cultural and other benefits. These are all of significant value to Japan. The ALTs who teach through contracting agencies are far less likely to feel part of their communities and to feel connected to something bigger that enables them to contribute to Japan the rest of their lives (though I think it would be great to somehow engage them in the same way). I'm just scraping the surface with these examples, but I'll also add one more on the micro level with regard to JET salaries. Right off the bat, just by having friends and family come to visit Japan and spend money on lodging, food and tourist activities (not even counting airfare), the average JET pays back 1/6 to 1/5 of their salary. (http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2011/01/20/update-jet-tourist-tally-project/) Return On JET-vestment is difficult to calculate, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist in a very significant way. Whether that amount is greater than the cost is something I can't answer concretely, but I want to make sure that some of these other benefits are being factored into discussions.