Job Discussion Forums

[LOSnewbie]

Hi,

I was reading on another website about the closure of a (chain of?) school(s) (i think it might have been the Wall Street Institute) and with the regular threads on forums regarding the state of Nova's finances it appears that there are problems within the industry.

Are closures in this industry normal within japan? (i guess small schools probably close and open all the time, i guess the medium and large ones form the cornerstone of the industry..or do they?)
Are the current events likely to be a one off or are they the start of something bigger?

Is there a website that tracks these things? or is it a case of searching forum threads for specific schools/companies if i want further info?

Sorry if this post seems a little over the top. I am planning on moving to Japan within the next 12 months and am just trying to see how things stand, and have little with which to put them into context...(i.e if schools are always closing down and others starting up then it is less worrying for prospective teachers than if the recent closures are rare, but increasing in volume for example.)

thanks,

L.

[JimDunlop2]

I wouldn't count on it... (there being a website)...

Japan is notorious not just for school closures, but in my experience ANY business may as well have a time bomb attached to the front door.

One day you walk in and do some shopping, come again the very next day and the shop is closed for good! Come back a day after that and they're already bulldozing the building to the ground.

This sort of thing seems to be very, very, very common. No advance warnings, no notices, nothing! Always seems to happen to my favorite spots too -- all the places I enjoy frequenting. It can be very frustrating sometimes.

Eg.. Hey, no problem -- I'll just go visit the ATM to pull out some cash. There's a 7-11 right around the corner.... Whoops... I guess not anymore. But yet, I was pulling cash out of that machine YESTERDAY!.... Ugh!

[bshabu]

This happened to the MOS Burger near my house. I was enjoying a burger one day and the very next day closed. I thought at first it was just a holiday...the next week I thought they were remodeling....the next month I became aware that they werenot opening. The bad part about it was no warning. It would have been nice to at least hear "enjoy that burger, it's the last one your have here."

[markle]

I guess it is an aspect of the culture here, closing down is such an admission of failure that most are ashamed to advertise (or forewarn) the fact.

[Glenski]

Places big and small close every day. Mostly small, as you'd imagine.

Many (most>?) go unannounced, even to the students and staff there!

Don't worry about what will be closed in the next 12 months. Be more concerned about preparing yourself for the job and the life experience. The market is saturated with teachers right now, so research what people to do get a leg up on others.

If this is a long-term commitment you plan to make, reassess your education and see what you need to do to get additional training.

[LOSnewbie]