Could use some insight about which path to take

Apologize for the text, I'll divide it and keep things as short as I can.

Background info:

I've been preparing to apply for JET for about a year and a half. I've been learning Japanese, got a CELTA certification, and have been saving money using a freelance AI gig.

I have some teaching experience from working at a camp for a year and a half where I dealt with kids of all ages. I was an English major and throughout my career I've worked as a writing tutor, an editor at a government contractor, and a freelance writer for a variety of companies.

Wanting to teach in Japan is not a new idea for me. I interviewed at an eikawa in 2016, didn't like their vibe, didn't feel good about not knowing Japanese, and so I didn't take the job. I figured when I do it, I'll do it with JET.

Last thing to know is I had an apartment fire a few years back during the height of COVID when I was already unemployed because my clients had shuttered their businesses. As you can imagine, that really sucked, and it's why I went to work at the camp. I couldn't stay there forever though, so I had to move back home with my folks. That also really sucks, especially as an adult. I've been here a year and a half building my savings and working on Japanese. I want to leave as soon as I can so I can resume my life.

Given that the writing industry has mostly collapsed, I thought maybe now is the perfect time to finally do JET. I would love to improve my Japanese enough that I could be a localizer, for instance. That's a goal I'm dying to pursue, compared to AI where I'm begrudgingly doing it, and it would require I live in Japan and become fluent.

Where I'm at now:

Recently I got a new job at a different AI company. It's full-time and pays a genuinely livable wage with good benefits. However, it's only a six-month contract. There is the possibility of three renewals for a maximum of two years, and it seems like they renew people a lot. I'm glad I have the job, but this also really complicates my plans for JET. I'll be coming up for my first renewal in February when I think JET interviews are happening. My second renewal would be in August when I'd likely be shipping out for JET.

I don't want to get in a situation where I count on the AI job and a result either not apply for JET at all or simply turn it down only to have the AI company not renew my contract at some point. There is a distinct possibility that come August 2026, I have neither the AI job nor JET and am stuck for another year.

I don't have a PhD or masters, I'm not in a specialized field, so I don't know how long they'll need me specifically. It's also still an extremely volatile industry. But it pays a shit ton better than JET would, and maybe if I stick with it long enough I'll be qualified for some permanent salaried position. I don't know if that's worth counting on though.

Luckily, I don't need to make a decision right now, just apply for JET and kick the can to February and see if anything's changed by then. But I have no idea what I'll do if the job is still going well, they offer me a renewal, and JET offers me a job.

Ultimately it just feels like a gamble. I don't see a clear path either way. Maybe that changes later, but if anybody has any life experience or is seeing something I'm not, I would really appreciate the insight.