Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chris_J2]

Teachers left jobless as Japan language school goes bankrupt

Justin McCurry in Tokyo, Rachel Williams
Saturday October 27, 2007
The Guardian

Nearly 1,000 British language instructors were left fearing for their jobs yesterday after Nova, the scandal-ridden owner of Japan's biggest chain of language schools, closed its doors and filed for court protection from creditors with debts totaling an estimated 43.9bn yen (�1.88m).
The firm, which has about 900 schools and 418,000 students, built its success on the back of advertising campaigns promising opportunities for "international exchange" at schools near railway stations staffed by native-speaker instructors. But its troubles began earlier this year when Japan's supreme court ruled that it had acted illegally by refusing to refund students who had cancelled their contracts.

In June the trade and economy ministry ordered Nova to close some of its schools after ruling that it had misled students in advertising campaigns.

The negative publicity led to a dramatic decline in enrolments and left the school unable to pay thousands of its teachers, some of whom also face eviction because Nova failed to pay their rent, which is deducted from their salaries. Nova's 2,000 Japanese staff have not been paid since July and about 4,000 foreign instructors have not been paid since September. Christopher Gunn, one of around 900 British Nova teachers caught up in the crisis, has had to borrow from friends to pay his 55,000 yen monthly rent and has only 3,000 yen left in his bank account.

"Until this morning no one knew what was happening," he told NHK television. "I'm angry and a little upset but not surprised at all. I may have to borrow money for a plane ticket home."

One British employee, who works as a trainer, told the Guardian she and her boyfriend, who will not be paid until next month in a new job, were living off the last of their savings and help from their parents. "Rent and bills are getting difficult to pay," she said. Another British couple she knows are facing eviction, she added.

The Osaka district court will try to find sponsors to rebuild Nova's business. Trading in Nova shares was suspended on the Jasdaq securities exchange in Tokyo, with the shares to be delisted next month.

The General Union, which represents many Nova employees, said the school's troubles had reached crisis point. "This is a serious development that could force many students, instructors and employees to suffer losses," the union's chairman, Katsuji Yamahara, said.

The British embassy in Tokyo has set up an advice page on its website. It is putting British teachers in touch with a travel agency that has agreed to provide cheap flights to the UK. "We are doing everything we can in terms of consular support and advice but the one thing we can't do is provide direct financial assistance," a spokesman told the Guardian.

Nova president, Nozomi Sahashi, was fired at an emergency board meeting on Thursday for his "opaque way of fundraising and negotiating with potential business partners," the company said.

Source: http://education.guardian.co.uk/tefl/viewfromabroad/story/0,,2200354,00.html

[cangel]

I worked for Nova for 3 years. I have many friends back in Fukuoka who are screwed. There are a couple rays of hope, though. One, they are entitled to unemployment insurance after 1 month (80%). However, if they bailed just prior to Nova's declaration of bankruptcy, they're #!*%*!. Second, they government official overseeing the bankruptcy is seeking investors such as Aeon. The Nova pigs, basically most ATs, all AAMs, RAAMs and up, particularly those who have been with the company a decade of more, Ha Ha Ha, told ya so� For the teachers, students, and most Japanese staff, I wish you the best during this difficult time and hope you can recover. Good luck!

[TECO]

[cangel]

When I first came to Nova, the kid's coordinator (program) received $20/month as a discretionary budget. Likewise, the office staff was also given $20/month as an operating budget ($20 ONLY to run an office e.g. supplies...). Nova took this away citing the money as not necessary. Additionally, Nova began NOT hiring teachers and asking current teachers to do more. Everyone knew this was in an effort to save money as they had rapidly expanded-literally a few hundred schools in 2 years. Nova staff saw the demise and started jumping ship 1.5 years ago. The stock has been in steady, rather rapid decline, since their expansion began. Yes, we often spoke of Nova's demise and asked our higher ups how Nova was to continue when all signs pointed at collapse. We, of course, were lied to. I spent 3 years at Nova because I liked my job, my students, my colleagues, and my city (Fukuoka). I hated the soulless company but always performed my duties to the best of my ability.