Kiwis caught up in Japanese cash crisis

The jobs of hundreds of New Zealand teachers are under threat after financial concerns about one of Japan’s biggest English language schools.

The Nova group has not paid some of its staff and is planning to close some of its schools.

It is Japan’s biggest private English Language School and 3 News visited it only months ago.

Nova employs thousands of foreign staff, including about 500 New Zealanders.

Although staff in Osaka and Tokyo are being paid, staff in other centres say they are owed a month’s pay.

Student numbers are down and Nova is planning to close 200 of 900 schools throughout Japan.

A Nova staff member has emailed 3 News and says he is concerned that the company is still trying to hire more staff from New Zealand despite their downsizing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education New Zealand agree that anyone considering working in an overseas language school should seek advice and thoroughly investigate the school before signing up.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/Story/tabid/209/articleID/35406/Default.aspx