Below is a list of questions often asked by potential JMEC participants. If, after reviewing the questions below, your question is still not answered, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@jmec.gr.jp for more information.
A. Each program year, beginning in November, participants take part in a 7-Saturday lecture series that covers the basics of business as well as the intricacies of doing business in Japan. In January, once the lecture series has been completed, participants are placed onto teams and begin writing a business plan for their project client (company). Each team of 4-6 participants is assigned one company to work with for the duration of the program and spends the next four months writing a business plan under the guidance of a JMEC mentor and consultant. Once business plans are completed by the beginning of May, they are handed in to both the project client and to a panel of judges. The judges review each plan and listen to an oral presentation delivered by each team. Winners are then determined and announced at the annual Awards Ceremony, which takes place at the beginning of June.
A. There are three main requirements for acceptance into the JMEC program:
Bachelors/primary degree from a recognized university. (Applicants who do not hold a primary degree may be accepted on the basis of their business experience, at the discretion of the JMEC Executive Committee.)
English fluency. Applicants, if not native English speakers, must be fluent in English. If potential participants have taken the following tests, recommended scores are:
TOEFL 600 (paper)/250 (computer), minimum
TOEIC 800, minimum
Equivalent level of above
At least 1-2 years of work experience
Additionally, JMEC looks for both Japanese and non-Japanese individuals who have a genuine interest in improving their business skills and learning how to write a business plan.
Occasionally, JMEC staff will conduct phone interviews to determine English fluency as well as the willingness to commit the time and energy to the program
A. No, these tests are not required. We simply list the test scores as a guide for those who may be concerned about their English ability. However, if you have taken these tests, we ask that you list your scores on the application.
A. No. Each participant (if applicable) is responsible for his/her own visa during the duration of the JMEC program.
A. The JMEC program is a commitment of time and energy. Just about all of our participants hold a full time job in a variety of industries while in the program, yet each is still expected to commit roughly 10 hours per week of his/her free time for the duration of the program. During the lecture series, this time is taken up by attending lectures on Saturdays. During the business plan writing phase, this will be taken up mostly by team meetings and research usually completed on weekends.
A. Attendance is required at all lectures and workshops. However, we understand that participants sometimes must attend personal events that may conflict with the JMEC schedule. Prior notification is required for any days that may have to be missed. Please speak with a member of the JMEC staff if this is the case.
A. If outside commitments prevent a participant from being able to fully participate in the program, JMEC staff members will work with the participant and his/her team to adjust schedules, if possible. If this is not possible, the participant may be asked to consider leaving the program.
A. The application deadline for JMEC is October 31.
A. JMEC information sessions are opportunities for potential participants to find out more about the JMEC program, to meet other potential participants and to speak with program alumni.
Click here to see JMEC information sessions dates and venues.
A. The best opportunity to speak with program alumni is at an information session. JMEC alumni attend the information session to tell potential participants what it is "really" like to take part in the program. See above for information session dates and registration information. However, if you cannot attend an information session and would still like to speak with someone who has completed JMEC, please contact JMEC staff at
info@jmec.gr.jp.
A. Toward the end of the lecture series, participants will be given very brief descriptions of projects available for that program year. Participants will then get to list their preferences for projects. While we make every effort to give participants one of their top choices, it cannot be guaranteed. Teams are created based on:
Participant's project preference
Participant's work experience and educational background
Participant's language ability
Each team must have at least one Japanese and one English speaker. Each team must also be balanced (for example, a team cannot consist entirely of accountants) and cannot contain an employee of a competitor of the project client. Teams are announced at the first meeting in January.
A. Participants may be asked to leave the JMEC program only in extenuating circumstances. Participants are expected to attend all lectures and workshops, fully participate in team activities, and to act in a professional manner. Participants also must respect client confidentiality, their fellow participants and teammates, their project clients, as well as the ideals of the JMEC program. Those who do not offer this respect throughout the program, or who do not or cannot fully commit the time and energy to their team or program, may be asked to leave the program, at the discretion of the JMEC Executive Committee.
A. The cost to participate in JMEC is JPY 150,000. In case you apply before September 30, you can make us of the early bird price of JPY 125,000.
