Founded in 1987, the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a competitive employment opportunity aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. It allows young professionals to live and work in cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan. Being a JET is an opportunity to work and to represent the United States as cultural ambassadors to Japan. JET participants serve as Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs), working to foster international exchange through the universal language of sports. Other available positions include Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs).

SEAs are sports professionals whose role is to assist with sports training and the planning of sports related projects. SEAs work for local governments by coaching and promoting internationalization in Japan. Japan requests SEAs for a variety of different sports, including swimming.