By Cari, on October 26th, 2007%
It’sOva: probably the only part of the situation that anyone can laugh at.
Nova files for bankruptcy with debt of ¥43.9 billion Not surprised, but it’s still bittersweet.
The crippling blow came in June, when the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Nova to partially suspend business because of false advertising. The penalty, which included a ban on long-term lesson contracts, caused student enrollment to plummet and sparked the closure of several schools. Paychecks began coming in late.
That’s interesting to read given the timing of taking Financial Techniques for Tourism Development this summer. Not everything can be accounted for in a . . . → Keep Going: Roasted Bunny
By Cari, on October 7th, 2007%
Things have only gotten more interesting in the last month. I’ve enjoyed the Facebook groups as a venue for re-connecting with old friends from either stint in Japan but they’ve also given me far more information about the current state of the bunny.
Nova Collapse Feared is certainly an attention-garnering headline, but it doesn’t say anything new. The fact that students are turning up having not been notified that their school closed is very symbolic of Japan. In that sense, I’m not surprised that information hasn’t been more forthcoming… it’s not the Japanese way. As for the staff, it’s sad. I was . . . → Keep Going: Bunny: Redux
By Cari, on September 16th, 2007%
So it seems that NOVA’s financial struggles, due in part to their METI sanction handed down in June, have come to a head with teachers not being paid according to their contract. Reports had surfaced last month of a huge operating loss, but I admit I’m somewhat surprised. I guess I just didn’t think it would get so bad so quickly.
I didn’t love Nova and they weren’t perfect, but part of the reason I went back when I returned to Japan in November 2005 was because they’d always done what they’d promised for foreign teachers: they arranged the visa, arranged housing . . . → Keep Going: Bunny Goes Bust?
