Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

Clips of the Nova story have started showing up on YouTube. First, here's the initial report by NHK on Nova's punishment:

Next, we have a pretty good summary of Nova from a instructor. If you're thinking of working for Nova, this is a video you should watch. I can't say I agree with her comment that you should take a job with Nova just for the visa. Things really don't look for Nova right now. Nova has posted losses for two straight years, had it's shady practices exposed to the public and punished by METI, and lost a huge cash cow in government job training assistance. It's share price is nearly worthless and its brand name has all but been destroyed, in my opinion. At this point, it's still hard to say if Nova will live or die, but right now the prognosis isn't good. Choosing to work for one of Nova's competitors would be a smarter move.

I also disagree with her comment that GEOS is good. If it was, Let's Japan wouldn't exist.

Finally, there is the news conference held by the Nova Teachers Union yesterday. You probably didn't see it on TV because of the more sensational explosion at a spa in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. Unfortunately, this clip fails is uninspiring. And what's with the guy in the pink bunny suit?

The Japan Times, however, did report on the news conference:

Nova Corp. teachers and other employees in Tokyo criticized the company Tuesday, saying the troubled chain of foreign-language schools must improve its business not just so it becomes more honest with customers but also for the sake of its workers.

At a news conference, Nova union members also demanded that the firm provide better working conditions for the Osaka-based chain's roughly 5,000 teachers at its branches nationwide. Although teaching English is Nova's mainstay, it also offers lessons in other foreign languages.

The rank and file said Nova must improve its thorny relations with its union if the chain hopes to survive the current crisis, in which it was slapped with a six-month ban on offering new long-term student contracts.

"A couple of months ago, (Nova President Nozomu) Sahashi issued a statement asking all the teachers to be friendly with their students and greet them with big smiles," said Thomas Reichl, the union president, who has been teaching German for 13 years. "We say to Mr. Sahashi, please lead by example and give us something to smile about."

The union has been fighting Nova for three years to secure a stable work environment in which its teachers can have indefinite or long-term employment agreements instead of annual renewals, and to allow teachers to qualify for social security insurance.

According to the union, negotiations with Nova began in 2004, but when the talks failed to produce results it began organizing strikes and protests the following year. In 2006, the union took its case to the Tokyo Labor Relations Board.

As the largest language school chain in Japan, Nova's practices effectively set the industry standard, the union said, adding that improved conditions would benefit the entire sector.