I know that many people come over and teach English for 1-4 years. (The max JET will allow is, I believe, 4.) Is there a possibility of employment teaching English after JET?

I would really like to (and this is a long shot), get accepted into JET, then work as a teacher in Japan for as many years as possible in the program. After, I would like to remain in Japan and continue teaching English through other means. I would like to live there my entire life and, EVENTUALLY, become a citizen there. Is this possible?

Currently I plan on getting a degree in teaching, and minoring in Japanese. Would this be a good idea?

Yes, it is possible.

This is not on the question but the same premise. I also want to teach English in Japan and plan on going to college for it. I plan on taking Japanese but I was wondering if it would be better to major in TESOFL/ESL or just general education?

astrogaijin wrote:

QUOTE:
This is not on the question but the same premise. I also want to teach English in Japan and plan on going to college for it. I plan on taking Japanese but I was wondering if it would be better to major in TESOFL/ESL or just general education?

I don't really know much about teaching English in Japan. It seems to me though that they don't really require a specific degree. Given that, I would study something that would offer you a reasonable backup plan in case you don't want to teach Japanese anymore and are more concerned with earning money. Maybe study something like accounting or nursing. These jobs tend to be pretty "portable" meaning they are available anywhere. Also, they tend to pay quite well.

I would think long and hard about planning to come and stay forever. That was my plan. I'm now 2 years in and I'm staying because I have nothing to go back to. My university degree was to get me to Japan.
I think the biggest factor is where your placement is in Japan. I'm in a rural area in what is considered a rural prefecture. I was not prepared for the reality for where I was placed. In school and through media you learn about the big cities, Tokyo, Osaka, ect. But the culture and way of life is different in the rural areas.
I have to stop here and state, that I love where I live and I enjoy 90% of my job. But I know that I cant live here forever. It might have been different if I had been in a major city (I have a friend in Osaka, who has faced none of the problems I have in the rural area).
I suggest that you carefully weigh your university degree. Get something that will serve you better in the future should you decide that you dont want to/cant stay any longer.