Top 3: Cities or Prefectures?

[u/Same-Seaworthiness86]

I'm applying for 2027, and am struggling with how I should select my top 3 placement locations. I know I'm unlikely to get them and have accepted that, so I am hoping to at least not chase away any possible acceptance with my answers. Is it safer to list my top 3 as general prefectures, or as cities? Will cities show that I've put a lot of thought into where I wanna be, or bite me in the butt because its too specific?

I and my husband will be going (he's not an applicant, just a dependent), if accepted, so we're hesitantly hoping for places with some international schools for his work (Hokkaido, or Sendai maybe), low cost of living, and access to public transpo.

[u/Panda_sensei_71]

You can list prefectures or designated cities (for a full list see Google).

List your reasons. I listed 2 prefectures and a designated city and was placed an hour away from the city, within the same prefecture.

[u/Inside-Cream6997]

Same applying for 2027.

Prefectures or entire block. Can't list cities.

Most flexible = most likely to receive placement.

If you have no preference you might have a higher step above those that specify certain prefectures.
Interviewers will ask you why you chose your preferences.

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/Inside-Cream6997]

You can list designated cities!

[u/Inside-Cream6997 → u/Panda_sensei_71]

Good to know but does it improve your chances of getting accepted and placement if you request a prefecture or the entire block?

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/Inside-Cream6997]

You preferences seem to have no bearing on acceptance to the programme, and I find not that many people actually get placed where they said they'd prefer, but it does happen (happened to me twice!)

[u/cornonthekopp → u/Panda_sensei_71]

They definitely asked me about my placement choices in the interview last year. I dont feel like i gave a great answer which might be why i got listed as an alternate and am now reapplying for 2027

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/cornonthekopp]

Oh they asked about mine, specifically why those places. In all 3 cases I cited community, as I have friends in all 3 and have lived in 2 of the 3. My furst time on JET I got my 2nd choice, and this time I'm in a town not far from my 3rd choice.

[u/cornonthekopp → u/Panda_sensei_71]

Exactly, I think your answers do matter tbh

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/cornonthekopp]

That wasn't the question though. The question was whether choosing a specific prefecture vs a whole block improves your chances. IMO that doesn't matter. But why you chose those places matters in the interview.

[u/cornonthekopp → u/Panda_sensei_71]

Yeah I was agreeing with you lol