[jasonbvr]

Short term positions lasting only a few days, a few weeks, or two to three months are usually only available to those already in Japan and have the proper work visa. Working as a student studying in Japan, you have to have the consent of the school at which you are studying to get the work permit.

Contracts lasting only six months are available through Interac and some other ALT staffing companies starting in August/September. This is because some companies need to fill vacancies mid-year since the school year starts in April. A lot of schools prefer to start their ALT's in April so that they will be there for the entirety of the school year, but due to the fact that most people graduate in May/June in North America, GB, etc. a lot of schools compromise and take them in August.

Now, you mentioned being a student. If you are living and studying in Great Britain, Australia or New Zealand, you will qualify for the working holiday visa. Without the working holiday visa say for someone like me from the US, you need to have finished your degree to qualify for the working visa. If you can get the work visa, that is all that it really comes down to. There are short positions out there, but you've got to have the visa or be able to qualify for it.