The Two Sides of the ALT Experience in Japan’s Public Schools

Working as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan is often painted as either a dream job or a bureaucratic nightmare. The reality, as with most things, lies somewhere in the gray area between these extremes. When discussions about workplace culture in Kyoto City’s public schools surface, they tend to focus on dramatic accusations, but there is always more to the story than anonymous complaints suggest.

The Unspoken Challenges of Japanese School Culture

Japanese workplaces operate on a distinct set of unwritten rules that can be difficult for newcomers to navigate. While some ALTs genuinely face difficult working conditions, others may misinterpret normal workplace expectations as mistreatment. Being asked to stay until your scheduled end time, following curriculum guidelines, or receiving feedback on your teaching style are not acts of harassment—they are standard professional expectations found in any country.

Professionalism Is a Two-Way Street

Every ALT has a responsibility to adapt to their workplace, just as their Japanese colleagues work to accommodate a foreign teacher in their midst. Reports from current and former Japanese teachers reveal that some ALTs arrive late, leave early, use leave policies in questionable ways, or avoid classroom responsibilities. When supervisors address these issues, it is not “power harassment”—it is accountability.

The Gray Area of Leave Policies

Medical leave and menstrual leave policies exist for legitimate reasons, but they are also vulnerable to abuse. Only the individual knows their true situation, and pretending that these systems are never misused is disingenuous. Schools that question frequent absences are not necessarily being unfair; they may simply be doing their due diligence.

The Myth of the “Favorite” ALT

Some ALTs who perform well, build strong relationships, and renew their contracts are sometimes resented rather than respected. Labeling them as “favorites” suggests that professionalism itself is somehow exclusive or unfair. In reality, these ALTs simply did the work, adapted to their schools, and earned the trust of their colleagues and students through demonstrated reliability.

Quiet Success Stories Go Unheard

Hundreds of ALTs in Kyoto City quietly complete their contracts, enjoy their schools, and return home or renew without incident. These teachers do not write dramatic online posts because they are busy building careers, connecting with students, and contributing positively to their communities. Their silence does not mean problems do not exist—it means they found a way to work through challenges professionally.

Finding Balance in a Cross-Cultural Workplace

The most effective ALTs understand that they are guests in Japan’s education system, not customers demanding service. This does not mean accepting mistreatment, but it does mean approaching disagreements with cultural awareness and a willingness to communicate constructively. Workplace conflicts happen everywhere, especially when language and cultural differences are involved.

Accountability and fair treatment must go both ways. Before accusing an entire community of harboring toxic behavior, it is worth considering what the other side of the story might look like.