Employment Opportunity: Assistant for Cultural Affairs and Public Relations/JET Program Coordinator, Consulate General of Japan in Boston

November 13, 2026

The Consulate General of Japan in Boston is seeking a highly motivated, team-oriented individual for the position of JET Program Coordinator and an Assistant at Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Section. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in Japan-U.S. relations and international affairs. Please see below for a detailed list of responsibilities.

Working hours are 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional weeknight and/or weekend events (paid overtime) and official travel. Salary is commensurate with experience and the skills of the candidate. Benefits include group health insurance coverage, paid time off, sick leave and an annual bonus. There is a potential annual salary increase based on individual performance.

Please note: Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. green card holder. Screening will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Successful candidates will be requested to submit their background check information.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Job Summary

Under the supervision of the diplomats, the successful candidate will work to promote mutual understanding and deepen friendly relations between Japan and the United States, specifically within the New England region. Responsibilities include public relations activities, planning and executing cultural events, supporting the JET Program and educational/study-in-Japan initiatives, as well as general translation, interpretation, and administrative duties. The coordinator will widely publicize Japan’s attractions (traditional culture, pop culture, science and technology, tourism, etc.) to the local community and build/maintain networks with local media and relevant organizations.

4. Key Responsibilities

(1) JET Program, Education & Study in Japan Support

JET Program Administration: Promote application guidelines, organize information sessions, receive and pre-screen applications, support the interview process, plan and execute pre-departure orientations and farewell receptions, assist with travel logistics, and liaise with the JET Alumni Association (JETAA).
MEXT Scholarship Administration: Publicize scholarship guidelines, hold information sessions, screen applications, support the administration of written examinations and interviews, and assist with departure logistics.
Japanese Language & Educational Support: Coordinate with Japanese language educational institutions (universities, K-12 schools, etc.) in the New England area, support Japanese speech contests, and conduct the School Visit Program.

(2) Public Relations & Media Relations

Media Monitoring: Clip articles related to Japan from local media, analyze media coverage trends, and report findings internally.
Press Releases: Draft and distribute press releases (in English and Japanese) regarding major diplomatic schedules, the Consul-General’s activities, and cultural events to local media outlets.
SNS & Website Management: Create content for the Consulate-General's official website and social media platforms (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), disseminate information in both English and Japanese, and analyze engagement/traffic.
Inquiry Response: Handle inquiries from the general public and media regarding Japanese tourism, culture, society, and education via phone, email, and at the reception desk.

(3) Cultural Event Planning & Execution

Event Coordination: Plan, manage budgets, coordinate logistics (venue booking, equipment, invitations), and oversee on-site operations for Japan-related cultural events (lectures, exhibitions, workshops, receptions, film screenings, etc.) hosted or co-hosted by the Consulate-General.
External Collaboration: Coordinate and support collaborative cultural projects with local museums, universities, cultural organizations, and municipal governments.

(4) Translation & Interpretation

Translation: Translate drafts of the Consul-General’s speeches, internal reports, press releases, social media posts, and other official documents (Japanese to English, English to Japanese).
Interpretation: Provide consecutive interpretation during cultural events, courtesy visits, and media interviews (Japanese to English, English to Japanese).

(5) Administrative Support & Other Duties

Resource Management: Manage loans and inventory of Japan-related promotional materials, DVDs, and cultural items (happi coats, tea ceremony utensils, exhibition materials, etc.).
Budgeting Assistance: Assist with budget management, expense reconciliation, processing invoices/quotations, and bookkeeping.
General Affairs: Coordinate schedules for supervising officers, welcome guests, and perform other general administrative tasks necessary for the operations of the Consulate-General.

5. Requirements & Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher (degrees in Humanities, Social Sciences, Communications, International Relations, East Asian/Japanese Studies, or related fields are preferred).

Language Skills

English: Native-level proficiency (excellent writing, public speaking, and professional communication skills are required).
Japanese: Business-level or higher (JLPT N1 or equivalent practical ability. Must be able to coordinate tasks, write documents, and communicate smoothly with Japanese diplomatic staff in Japanese. Candidates who meet this requirement will be highly preferred.).

Skills & Experience

PC Skills: Professional proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
SNS/IT Literacy: Experience in managing social media platforms for professional purposes. Graphic design skills (Canva, Photoshop, etc.) and video editing skills are a plus.
Work Experience: Prior professional experience (2–3 years or more) in public relations, event planning, translation/interpretation, administrative support, or working within Japanese companies or international organizations is preferred.
※ Experience as a JET Program participant (ALT/CIR) or involvement in Japan-U.S. exchange initiatives is highly preferred.

6. Desired Traits

A strong interest in and deep understanding of Japanese culture, society, and foreign policy.
Excellent communication skills and flexibility to work cooperatively with colleagues and external stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Flexibility to accommodate irregular hours, including working on weekends and evenings for cultural events (overtime rules apply).
A proactive attitude with the ability to propose ideas and manage projects independently and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
A valid driver’s license is preferred, as you may occasionally be required to drive the Consulate-General’s official vehicles.

7. Employment Period

Anticipated Start Date: December 14, 2026. The actual start date is flexible and negotiable.
Probationary Period: The first two (2) months of employment will be a trial (probationary) period.

8. Selection Process

Email your resume, cover letter and reference letter(s), if any to application@bz.mofa.go.jp by Nov 30th. Please write “JET Program Coordinator” in the subject line of your email.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the instructions for submission are not properly followed.

Stage 1: Document Screening (review of resume, cover letter, and other submitted documents).
Stage 2: Written Examination (translation and writing test) and Interviews (conducted in-person or online).