Polite, relaxed and accommodating is how Fergus O'Dwyer, from Clonsilla, Co Dublin, describes the Japanese. He should know. For the past four months he has been working as an assistant language teacher in Yamaguchi, Japan. It is thanks to the Japanese language and teaching (JET) programme that O'Dwyer is in Yamaguchi, which is on the southernmost tip of the island of Honshu.

"Japanese people go out of their way to help you," he says. Like many young Irish people who spend time in Japan, O'Dwyer has discovered that many of his preconceptions about the country have been shattered. Take Japanese food, for example. This, contrary to his expectations, is both pleasing and interesting, he says. The JET programme was established by the Japanese government in 1987 to encourage foreign-language teaching in Japan and to expose the Japanese to people from other nationalities and cultures. Since 1988, more than 570 Irish graduates have participated in the scheme.

The Japanese government recruits for the programme in countries all over the world. This year, more than 6,000 young people from some 39 countries are participating in the scheme, according to Sean Gillis, who is Ireland's JET programme co-ordinator for 2001.

Most of the people accepted on to the programme work as assistant language teachers in junior high or high schools, usually in rural areas. A small number of people who have a working command of the Japanese language are selected to work as co-ordinators for international relations. They assist with the international activities carried out by the local authorities to which they are assigned.

The closing date for next year's programme is November 30th. In order to qualify for consideration, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in any discipline, be between 18 and 35 years of age and show an interest in Japan, in teaching and in education.

Interviews take place in Dublin in April and the successful applicants will undergo a one-day orientation programme early in July, before departure at the end of the month. Initially, contracts are for one year but may be renewed on up to two occasions. Successful applicants receive a return airfare to Japan and around £28,000 per annum. "It's more than enough to live on," comments Sean Gillis, who spent three years in Japan on the JET programme between 1996 and 1999.

Accommodation is rarely a problem: "The school assists you to find a flat. Usually they have one organised before you arrive." Is it ever a lonely experience? Definitely not, he says. "A local representative takes care of all the participants in each prefecture. The Dublin office is in constant contact with people by e-mail and you get the chance to socialise with people from different nationalities on the programme." And the Japanese? "Very friendly. I didn't have a free night," he says.

Contact : JET Desk, Embassy of Japan, Nutley Building, Merrion Centre, Nutley Lane, Dublin 4. Tel 01 2694244 ext 136.