CAJ’s vision is to equip students to serve Japan and the world for Christ, and CAJ’s staff work at the school because they are committed to this vision. Whether in the classroom, in the office, on the field, or in the auditorium, CAJ staff share who they are and what they have learned as they lead students to grow in their minds, hearts, and actions for the glory of God. And CAJ staff are committed to growing too, both individually and as a part of the CAJ community.
Founded in 1950, CAJ’s students and staff come from all over the world, but we offer a Christ-centered, English-language, US-based curriculum. CAJ is accredited by WASC.
Qualifications and Child Safeguarding
All staff at CAJ are committed followers of Christ, in belief and practice.
All teaching staff have a love of their subject and a love for children. They have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate major, relevant teacher certification from a government authority or ACSI, and experience of teaching in a school setting.
All support staff have relevant qualifications and experience, which varies depending on the position.
CAJ places a high value on the safeguarding of children, so all applicants must be prepared to undergo a full background check and commit to all school policies concerning child safeguarding.
Current openings
Elementary School Principal
Full-time vacancy from August 1, 2025
Applications close January 10, 2025, or sooner if a shortlist of suitable applicants is filled or an offer is accepted.
The Elementary School Principal oversees the implementation of the educational program in the Elementary School and supervises the Elementary School teachers and student support staff. The Elementary School Principal is a member of the school’s Leadership Team and Child Safeguarding Team.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must be able to provide superior executive support and initiatives in a range of duties and responsibilities. To this end, he or she will:
be a committed Christian and an active member of a church.
have a relevant master’s degree, or be prepared to pursue one; also teaching credentials.
have experience in a comparable school role.
have native-speaker level English abilities; Japanese language and cultural understanding is an advantage.
have an understanding of and desire to contribute to the vision and mission of Christian Academy in Japan.
be a proven team leader and manager, committed to collaborative working and willing to adapt to different styles and approaches as appropriate.
have excellent relational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
have excellent time management and organizational skills, experience in relevant technology, and a careful attention to detail in managing data.
be of mature disposition, known to be loyal, honest, and discreet, and to have a strong sense of community service.
Responsibilities
Plan, organize, and direct implementation of all Elementary School activities, with an emphasis on student care and safety
Establish and maintain an effective learning climate across the Elementary School
Supervise all Elementary School teachers and student support staff and oversee their professional development
Oversee the Elementary School curriculum and its development
Maintain high standards of student conduct and manage student discipline
Attend student events and activities and supervise co-curricular events
Foster and maintain good relationships with parents of Elementary School students
In collaboration with the Admissions Coordinator, meet prospective students and their families and make admissions decisions for Elementary School applicants
Provide regular reports to the Head of School and participate on the school’s Leadership Team
Develop other leaders among the Elementary School staff and give them opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually
Play an active part on the Child Safeguarding Team
Start Date
Full-time position, with start date of August 1, 2025
HR Manager
Full-time vacancy with start date negotiable up to August 1, 2025
Applications close January 31, 2025, or sooner if a shortlist of suitable applicants is filled or an offer is accepted.
The HR Manager is responsible to the Head of School for overseeing the administration of staff employment matters, including the recruitment and welcoming of new staff; staff contractual rights and responsibilities; working conditions; and the school’s legal and regulatory compliance relating to employment matters. The HR Manager is a member of the school’s leadership team, working closely with the Business Manager at an executive level. The HR Manager will oversee the HR office and work closely with other business office staff.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must be able to provide high level executive support and initiatives in a range of duties and responsibilities. To this end, he or she will:
be a committed Christian and an active member of a church.
have an understanding of and desire to contribute to the vision and mission of Christian Academy in Japan.
have a relevant bachelor’s degree.
have significant professional experience in HR or a closely comparable role.
have a good understanding of Japanese employment and immigration law.
have native-speaker level English abilities; in addition, ability to work in Japanese is strongly preferred.
be a proven team leader and manager, committed to collaborative working and willing to adapt to different styles and approaches as appropriate.
have excellent relational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
have excellent time management and organizational skills, experience in relevant technology, a careful attention to detail in managing data, and a high level of numeracy skill.
be of mature disposition, known to be loyal, honest, and discreet, and to have a strong sense of community service.
Major Responsibilities
Manage and administer the process for recruiting and onboarding new staff; oversee employment and legal matters for leaving staff
Oversee the staff (regular and auxiliary) contracting processes and serve on the salary committee. Work with relevant divisional leaders in setting staffing assignments
Oversee staff visa matters for both new and continuing staff
Oversee staff housing; oversee the staff key database
Oversee the monthly payroll, including all matters related to taxes, health insurance, pension, unemployment insurance. Work with the Business Manager in developing salary rates, staff benefits and other related financial matters.
Oversee and process staff absences, both daily and long-term leave, and the substitute teacher system. Oversee the staff timecard system.
Maintain the HR database
Oversee the implementation of school policies and procedures relating to staff matters such as working regulations, contractual rights and responsibilities, grievance and discipline issues
Research and keep up to date with ongoing developments in Japanese employment, immigration, and related laws to ensure the school’s ongoing legal and regulatory compliance, including, but not limited to, matters relating to visas, teacher certification, social insurance, health checks.
Work with staff to ensure they are aware of all relevant employment laws
Oversee a system to advise and assist staff who have questions relating to their working and family lives in Japan as they relate to their employment. Oversee a system to extend care to staff in special circumstances
Oversee HR Office and related staff and ensure the smooth running of HR Office practices and procedures
Oversee volunteers, student and auxiliary workers, including substitutes, coaches and temporary workers
Contribute towards other tasks that the Head of School may require
Choir Director (Performing Arts teacher)
Full- or part-time vacancy from August 1, 2025
Applications close January 10, 2025, or sooner if a shortlist of suitable applicants is filled or an offer is accepted.
The Choir Director teaches and oversees the High School Choir, the Middle School Choir, and the selective Chamber Singers. This could be a part-time position, but could also be a full-time position for a candidate who has additional experience teaching other musical ensembles, especially handbells, or acting/drama. For a candidate of more experience, it is possible the role of Music Department Head might be offered.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must be able to provide superior executive support and initiatives in a range of duties and responsibilities. To this end, he or she will:
be a committed Christian and an active member of a church.
have an understanding of and desire to contribute to the vision and mission of Christian Academy in Japan.
have a relevant bachelor’s degree.
have current teaching credentials or be willing to pursue appropriate certification.
have experience teaching choir in a High School and/or Middle School.
have native-speaker level English abilities; Japanese language and cultural understanding is an advantage.
be a proven team leader and manager, committed to collaborative working and willing to adapt to different styles and approaches as appropriate.
have excellent relational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
have excellent time management and organizational skills, experience in relevant technology, and a careful attention to detail in managing data.
be of mature disposition, known to be loyal, honest, and discreet, and to have a strong sense of community service.
Responsibilities
Teach High School Choir and Middle School Choir as part of the school’s regular curriculum
Teach Chamber Singers as a selective high school choir for top singers
Coordinate the school’s choral program with the Elementary School choir teacher, and assist as needed
Organize and execute regular concerts several times a year for each choral group
Organize and execute occasional choral performances around Tokyo and further afield
Teach voice lessons to individual students or small groups of students
Work in close collaboration with other performing arts teachers and other staff across the school more broadly
Assist as needed with the High School and Middle School chapel bands
For candidates seeking a full-time position, other responsibilities will be discussed based on the candidates’ experience and interests
Start Date
Part-time or full-time position, with start date August 1, 2025
Physical Education/Health teacher
Full-time vacancy from August 1, 2025
Applications close January 10, 2025, or sooner if a shortlist of suitable applicants is filled or an offer is accepted.
The primary purpose of the Physical Education teacher is to plan and implement engaging physical education activities for girls and boys across divisions, but especially in middle and high school, and assess student learning in physical education and health.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must be able to provide superior executive support and initiatives in a range of duties and responsibilities. To this end, he or she will:
be a committed Christian and an active member of a church.
have an understanding of and desire to contribute to the vision and mission of Christian Academy in Japan.
have a relevant bachelor’s degree.
have current teaching credentials or be willing to pursue appropriate certification.
have experience teaching physical education in a high school and/or middle school; experience teaching girls is required.
have native-speaker level English abilities; Japanese language and cultural understanding is an advantage.
be a proven team leader and manager, committed to collaborative working and willing to adapt to different styles and approaches as appropriate.
have excellent relational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
have excellent time management and organizational skills, experience in relevant technology, and a careful attention to detail in managing data.
be of mature disposition, known to be loyal, honest, and discreet, and to have a strong sense of community service.
Responsibilities
Teach physical education classes to students in elementary, middle, and/or high school
Teach health education classes to students in elementary, middle, and/or high school
Work well with the team of physical education teachers and the broader CAJ staff
Participate in and potentially oversee other school-required activities as needed
Various coaching opportunities for school sports teams are also available.
Start Date
Full-time position, with start date August 1, 2025
Library coordinator
Full-time position with start date of August 1, 2025
Applications close January 31, 2025, or sooner if a shortlist of suitable applicants is filled or an offer is accepted.
The Librarian oversees all aspects of the school’s library and library program, including the supervision of assistant library staff. The Librarian teaches students K-12 and acts more generally to promote reading, literacy skills, and research skills. The Librarian reports to the Director of Teaching and Learning.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must be able to provide superior executive support and initiatives in a range of duties and responsibilities. To this end, he or she will:
be a committed Christian and an active member of a church.
have an understanding of and desire to contribute to the vision and mission of Christian Academy in Japan.
have a bachelor’s degree in library science with an emphasis in school librarianship.
have at least three years’ experience as a school librarian with teaching responsibilities.
have native-speaker level English abilities; Japanese language and cultural understanding is an advantage.
be a proven team leader and manager, committed to collaborative working and willing to adapt to different styles and approaches as appropriate.
have excellent relational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
have excellent time management and organizational skills, experience in relevant technology, and a careful attention to detail in managing data.
be of mature disposition, known to be loyal, honest, and discreet, and to have a strong sense of community service.
Responsibilities
Lead library instruction for kindergarten to fifth grade, consisting of activities and readings, lessons on digital citizenship, and collaborating with teachers to lead students through research
Teach lessons for Grades 6-12 on research, citations, and other needs identified by classroom teachers (the school subscribes to EBSCO, JSTOR, and NoodleTools)
Promote the development of reading and literacy skills for information and leisure, including leading reading promotional programs
Organize and manage the library, including collection development, cataloging, and processing using Follett Destiny Library and Resource Manager
Take responsibility for and manage the library budget, including generating annual accounting records based on inventory
Manage the library space so that it is a warm environment that welcomes all patrons, with attractive displays, promotion of reading materials, and well maintained furnishings; help patrons locate resources, both physical and online
Manage the booking of the library space by staff
Supervise library assistants by assigning tasks, promoting training, and providing feedback as needed; supervise high school volunteers and teacher assistants
CAJ receives a large number of applications and we are unable to accept general applications for positions not listed. If you have questions, please email: personnel@caj.ac.jp.
