Breaking Contract

From HyogoAJET

Sad as it may be, every now and then a JET member decides that they cannot continue their jobs, and that they need to break contract and leave the JET program. The blame may lie with the contracting organization, the blame may lie with the JET, and usually, neither party is completely innocent. In the end, the only thing that matters is that everyone - you, your coworkers, your students and your boss - ends up more cynical.

Before you decide to break contract, ask yourself some questions. Why do you want to break contract? Looking back, will you still think that leaving JET was the best choice? Also, ask yourself if you wil be happier somewhere else. Leaving JET early might seem like the only escape you have right now, but make sure the source of your frustration doesn't lie somewhere else. And finally, remember that no bad situation is permanent. Teachers get transfered, students graduate, and after the Winter Blues are over things start looking up for most people.

If you need someone to talk to, or just somebody that will listen, please contact one of the PAs. We will not try to get you to stay on JET just because. We will try to help you come to the best decision, and offer you our support either way. Also, disclosure of illegal activity aside, we will maintain 100% confidentiality. Nothing you tell us will get back to your school, other JETs, or people in the BOE.

If you've given it a lot of thought, and you've decided that you won't make it until July (or whenever your contract ends), then all we can ask of you is to be professional about it as possible. Our contracts tell us that we must give 30 days notice, so please give your school/BOE that courtesy. In the past, there have been incidents of JETs just leaving town and not telling anybody that they quit. Needless to say, incidents like these only make it harder for the next JET.

Contents 1 Replacement ALTs 2 Resident Tax 3 Transportation Costs 4 Return Ticket 5 Visa

Replacement ALTs

Depending on when you leave, your school may or may not be able to get an ALT to replace you. If your school is able to notify CLAIR before September 30th, they might be able to find an alternate to come take your place. After that, it's pretty much impossible. Your school might try to find somebody to take the job until next year when a new JET comes, but most of the time they are unsuccessful.

If you feel that there are compelling reasons why you cannot stay, then it is your choice to make. Just keep in mind the consequences of your decision.

Resident Tax

If you are subject to the Resident Taxes (in general, CIRs, SEAs, and all 3rd year ALTs) your contracting organization will pay for it by either augmenting your salary or sending the check in themselves. If, however, you quit JET early AND remain in Japan, come June you will be required to pay the resident tax yourself.

Also, if your school had been augmenting your salary to pay the resident tax, you will be required to pay them back as well.

Transportation Costs

If you break contract soon after arriving in Japan (generally in the area of one month within arriving), you may be responsible for costs incurred during your travel to Japan. The actual cost of these expenses vary, but can easily surpass 200,000 yen (about $1,800). You may be liable for the cost of:

• The plane ticket to Japan from your home country
• Your stay in the hotel in Tokyo
• Your travel from Tokyo to Hyogo prefecture
• Other miscellaneous expenses

Return Ticket

If you break contract, you will not be eligible to the free ticket to return to your home country. For more details see Return Tickets.

Visa

As long as you don't violate the terms of your visa, you are welcome to keep working in Japan with it. For more information, see Post-JET Visa Advice

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General	Meet The CIRs ・ Meet The PAs ・ Phone Numbers and Emails ・ Hyogojets Mailing List ・ Emergencies ・ Useful Links ・ AJET ・ Acronyms ・ Information Centers
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Money	How Much Money Should I Bring? ・ Banking in Japan ・ Sending Money Home ・ Paychecks ・ Paying Up Front ・ Taxes Back Home ・ Statement of Earnings ・ Resident Taxes
Work	Who do I work for? ・ Evaluations ・ Paid Leave ・ Special Leave ・ Unpaid Leave ・ Study Leave ・ Recontracting and Transfers ・ Conferences ・ Yashiro Orientation ・ The Mid-Year Conference ・ I have nothing to do!
Life In Hyogo	About the Apartment ・ How safe is Japan? ・ Map of Hyogo ・ Dealing with bugs ・ Shopping in Japan ・ Train Lines, Times, and Fares ・ Hyogo Winters ・ Hyogo Summers ・ Typhoons ・ Sports Opportunities ・ Trains: Vocab and Tips ・ Post Office ・ Useful Items to Help You Live in Japan ・ Religious Institutions
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Language and Culture	Learning Japanese ・ Language Resources ・ Japanese Classes in Hyogo ・ Proficiency Tests ・ Study Tips ・ Japanese Holidays ・ Japanese Etiquette ・ About the CLAIR Courses
Food	Food Shopping ・ Restaurant Vocab and Guidebooks ・ Types of Restaurants ・ Recommended Restaurants ・ Bars
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Books, etc.	Book Stores ・ Hyogo AJET Library ・ Libraries ・ Magazines ・ Newspapers etc.
Driving	Attention Drivers! ・ Buying a Car ・ Driving in Winter ・ Getting Around ・ Getting Car Insurance ・ Getting a License ・ Rules of the Road ・ Driving School ・ Driving Test ・ Drinking and Driving ・ DUI / DWI ・ My BOE won't let me drive!
Visas, etc.	Immigration Offices ・ Visa Renewal and Status of Residence ・ Reentry Permits ・ Renewing Your Passport ・ Post-JET Visa Advice ・ Temporary Visitor Visa
Recommendations	Gym Recommendations ・ Recommended Restaurants ・ Find a Doctor ・ Find a Hairdresser
Legal Issues	Lost Passports ・ Arrested in Japan ・ English Speaking Lawyers ・ Getting Married
Computers and Phones	Buying a computer ・ Typing in Japanese ・ Getting Internet ・ Word in Japanese ・ Cell Phones ・ Home Phones ・ Phoning Home ・ Help with Technical Problems
Leaving JET	Checklist for Leaving Japan ・ Post-JET Visa Advice ・ Return Tickets ・ Shipping Stuff Home ・ The Pension Refund ・ Staying In Japan ・ Preparing For Your Successor ・ Predecessor Information ・ Reverse Culture Shock ・ Police Clearance Certificate ・ Certificate of Participation ・ I want to break contract ・ Goodwill Envoys