ALT workers across Japan are facing a system built on short-term contracts, unclear expectations, and constant uncertainty. At this week’s General Union ALT Branch meeting, members came together to compare experiences and to start mapping out what it would take to change that.
One of the clearest themes was just how unpredictable the job has become. Members shared experiences of contracts ending without explanation, sudden changes in placement, and hiring practices that prioritize cost-cutting over stability. For many, these aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of how the dispatch system currently operates.
Rather than treating these as individual problems, the discussion focused on how they connect. When workers are easily replaced, wages stagnate. When contracts are unclear, it becomes harder to challenge unfair treatment. The result is an industry where insecurity is the norm.
The conversation didn’t stop there – members also began outlining what a stronger response could look like.
Ideas included building closer connections between dispatch and direct-hire teachers, strengthening communication with Boards of Education, and pushing for clearer standards around contracts and renewals. There was also strong interest in addressing day-to-day issues like access to sick leave, where many workers still face pressure to work while ill or risk losing future employment.
Another key point was participation. Members emphasized that improving conditions will require more people getting involved – not just in responding to problems, but in shaping campaigns and supporting each other across workplaces.
The level of engagement from members drove this home: from newer members to long-time activists, there was a clear sense that the current situation is unsustainable, and that change will require coordinated, collective action.
As the union moves toward its Annual General Meeting on May 17, these discussions are likely to shape the direction of ALT organizing in the coming year.
For workers in the ALT system, the challenges are real, as is the growing effort to confront them together.