Through all regions in Gifu, there are advisors who are here to support you! Your Prefectural Advisors (PAs) look after the logistics of all areas in Gifu prefecture, and your Regional Prefectural Advisors (RPAs) are senior JETs in your area who can help you with your local queries and events!
Gifu Prefectural Advisors (PAs)
The role of the PAs are to support to both JETs and contracting organizations by providing consultation and mediation when needed. They provide information to JETs about daily life in Gifu Region, and can contact CLAIR on the behalf of JET's and COs if needed.
Please note that PAs are not mental health professionals and receive no training in that area. More information about available mental health support here. Gifu Prefecture has four PAs, working in two different sections: |
Contact
E-mail (will reach all PAs): [email protected]
Phone*: Gifu Prefectural Government - International Affairs Division: 058-272-8175 Gifu Prefectural Board of Education: 058-271-3450 *These lines will be answered in Japanese. Don't worry, there are people who speak english in both offices, even if the PAs are not there. If you can't speak Japanese, simply ask for the PA you are trying to reach or say something along the lines of "英語ができる人お願します” ("eigo ga dekiru hito onegaishimasu") - They will give the phone to someone in the office who speaks English. |
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Please understand that PAs will not always be in the office, due to other obligations, but will respond as quickly as possible.
Confidentiality
Communication with the PAs will remain confidential, but they may consult with the other PAs unless the JET specifically requests otherwise. PAs will only break confidentiality if:
- The JET participant may be in danger, or may be a danger to others
- The JET participant is engaging in illegal activities
- The JET participant is engaging in activities that may harm the reputation of the JET Program
Regional Prefectural Advisors (RPAs)
There are 87 JETs placed all over Gifu Prefecture, which means that it is difficult for the PAs to maintain close contact with all of them directly. For this reason, the Regional Prefectural Advisor (RPA) system was created to make sure that there are advisors in each of the five geographical regions of Gifu Prefecture – Gifu, Seino, Chuno, Hida and Tono. The RPAs are experienced JETs that can give you advice to help you settle in. They also do a range of things like prepare a Regional Guide to be handed to you at Life Orientation, organize events in their respective regions, help run and present at the multiple orientations and conferences throughout the year, and are there to help whenever you have any questions.
What do RPAs do?
RPAs are experienced ALTs and CIRs who act as area leaders and local resources on top of their normal ALT/CIR responsibilities. The RPA Committee meets with the PAs once a month.
Because Gifu prefecture is so large with different conditions throughout the prefecture, RPAs are able to provide more regional specific information (public transportation, shopping, etc). They can direct you to resources around the area (eg: when you need to go find a gynaecologist for a routine check-up but your supervisor is a middle aged man, your RPA can direct you) or point you to who you need to go to for problems.
Note: For things that effect your work, you will need to talk to your supervisor.
The RPAs help create social opportunities and resources for JETs. They also help plan and present at orientations and conferences.
RPAs are not trained in counseling and act only as experienced peers.
Because Gifu prefecture is so large with different conditions throughout the prefecture, RPAs are able to provide more regional specific information (public transportation, shopping, etc). They can direct you to resources around the area (eg: when you need to go find a gynaecologist for a routine check-up but your supervisor is a middle aged man, your RPA can direct you) or point you to who you need to go to for problems.
Note: For things that effect your work, you will need to talk to your supervisor.
The RPAs help create social opportunities and resources for JETs. They also help plan and present at orientations and conferences.
RPAs are not trained in counseling and act only as experienced peers.
RPA Selection
Recommendation and application forms will available to all Gifu JETs around December/January. If you are interested in being an RPA, first please let your CO know in January that you would like to be considered for the position, and then please fill out the short application. Interested JETs will be taken into consideration by the PA and RPA committee, who will then nominate the candidates in February to be approved by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.
Confidentiality
Communication with the RPAs will remain confidential, but they may consult with the PAs unless the JET specifically requests otherwise. However, situations will not be kept confidential if:
- The JET participant may be in danger, or may be a danger to others
- The JET participant is engaging in illegal activities
- The JET participant is engaging in activities that may harm the reputation of the JET Program