KOFU Teacher Exchange

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

Teacher Exchange
2025-26

Wanted: Teachers to teach in Kofu, Japan

The Des Moines Public Schools & Kofu, Japan Exchange Program is looking for certified staff who would like to spend a year in Kofu, Japan as assistant English teachers. The Foreign English Teacher (FET) assists the Japanese English teachers in the classroom, typically rotating between two junior high schools.

The assignment is for early to mid August 2025 through mid July 2026.

The teachers receive a salary of ¥334,000 each month, or approximately $3,400 (depending on the exchange rate). The teachers will not have to pay Japanese income tax or residence tax. An apartment will be provided at no cost. The teachers will pay utilities. The teachers must join the Japanese National Health Insurance Plan. The cost of a ticket between Des Moines and Tokyo will be reimbursed of up to ¥400,000, or about $4,100. The teacher pays for the ticket up front and is then reimbursed, usually on the first payday.

Internal Candidates: The teachers who are selected for this exchange will receive a leave of absence from their current teaching duties with a guarantee upon return of a comparable position in the District, but NOT necessarily the same class or school. The teacher’s position on the salary schedule will not be frozen during the year they are in Kofu and the first year will count as a year of employment.

External Candidates – Please consult with the HR department of your current district regarding leave of absence policies.