NOVA raided after complaints over missing tuition fees

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have conducted on-the-spot inspections at major English-language school NOVA, it was learned Friday, after ex-students complained that they hadn't had their tuition fees returned after canceling their contracts.

Among the allegations NOVA faces is a violation of the Special Business Transaction Law. If NOVA is found guilty, it could receive an official order to improve its business practices or have its business activities suspended.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also reportedly investigating the language school on suspicion of violating a consumer affairs ordinance.

The Special Business Transaction Law regulates processes such as the "cooling-off system," which enables consumers to cancel contracts unconditionally if they do so within a fixed period after signing.

Sources close to the investigation said that NOVA reduces the amount returned to students when they request that their contracts be cancelled partway through their courses, and fail to inform students about the necessary procedures when canceling contracts.
A public relations official from the firm admitted that the company had been inspected on Wednesday.

"We were asked to present data on the salaries and employment of foreign teachers and provide explanations, but as a company we are operating in accordance with the law. We're not aware of any hard facts relating to the claimed violation of the Special Business Transaction Law," the official said.

This is not the first time the eikaiwa giant has been pulled up for dishonest business practices. A court ruled against NOVA in a lawsuit filed by a student seeking the return of 700,000 yen in lesson fees in May 2003, and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan said that it has received 7,750 complaints and inquiries about the compant since 1996.

NOVA was founded in 1981. The company, which has opened many schools close to train stations and offers classes for people at home over its IP videophone system, gained popularity with its television commercials and grew rapidly. It operates a system under which students pay for lesson fees in advance. Information on the company's Web site said that, as of September 2005, it had about 480,000 students, ranking it the largest in the industry.

(Mainichi)

February 16, 2007

I feel a little flushed with satisfaction that my appointed leaving-time draws near. At the beginning of February, the company was in the news when a few teachers in the Tokyo area were caught with drugs... hugely damaging for the company's reputation, especially since drug possession is taken so seriously here.

But really, bad press aside, it has been a fairly decent company to work for. Lord knows, not perfect, but I think that anytime one goes to work in another country, one must expect that the boundaries of one's comfort zone will be crossed. Multitudes of times. But I've enjoyed teaching the students, and my paycheque has always been deposited to my account on time. Those two major plusses more than make up for all the little slights that assault me on a daily basis. Oh, listen to me! Passive-aggressive nonesense! It really is time to go!

On a lighter note...

I was tired of those forwarded quizzes that always ask foolish questions like "what colour socks are you wearing right now," and "do you like chocolate or vanilla better"... I mean, who cares? Yet I myself always feel compelled to respond and send them on. So this time I decided to go one better and make my own smarty-pants quiz. Here are the questions and some of the replies I liked.

1) Who do you consider to be the most dangerous living person in the world?

"i consider myself to be that person. not because i'm soooo volatile or reckless or malicious but no-one has a greater effect on our lives than us. yes, there are people like president bush who wage war on abstract words like terror which lead to massive casualties etc in different countries but the greatest danger i've been in was the result of my choices. we all make choices all the time that may or may not put us in dangerous situations. i know, this is deeper than you expected an answer to be so i'll even it out by saying vern troyer(played 'mini-me' in austin powers movie) is the most dangerous b'cuz ya just don't know what the little guys are harboring."
- S. Collins

2) Why do you think it appeals to people to respond to these quizzes?

"They like to talk about themselves."
- B. Pera

"Either boredom or a profound vaccuousness of character. Boredom is my excuse."
- C. Williams

"...actually, i find responding to this to be very unappealing."　
－S. Collins

3) What do you think is the best means to effect change?

"Live your life with principles and always share your ideas and passions with other people you meet."
-K. Frisque

4) If you could time-travel to any location and period in history, where would you go?

"Feudal Japan"
- C. Williams

"2000BC when Assyrians were the powerful race of people."
- B. Pera (Obviously an Assyrian, no?)

"I'd go back to Greece in the 6th or 5th century BCE because I'm a total nut when it comes to the Hellenic Age, supposedly the Golden Age of Man. I'd love to catch a Euripedes play, chat with hoplites and dig on columns. It's bizarre, I know. "
-C. Frosini

5) What is the worst advice that you have ever received?

"sure go ahead .. join the marines"
-J. Nimmons

"It's ok to lick cold metal"
-K. Frisque

6) What book/movie/album would you most recommend to a friend who was "looking for answers"?

"Hulk Hogan's 'Hogan Knows Best' because of his sweet mustache and his daughter that looks like a man but is still strangly hot..."
- S. Shepherd

7) What could potentially be different about your life in ten years?

"Screw your rules. I'm responding via video. And i'm re-writing the questions too.
7) What could potentially be different about your life if you were in a Nintendo?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soXDWL1TNF4&eurl "
- S. Maxwell

8) What would you most like to change about yourself?

"i'd like to see life as it is without filtering it through what society/ family/ friends/ tv/ books have impressed upon me to believe/ feel about life and i'd like to live from that place of clarity. bigger pectorals wouldn't hurt either. "
-S. Collins

9)Who has had the most significant influence in your life (positive or negative)? Is this person aware of their role in your life?

"My mother. I'm not sure if she is aware of it or not. I hope she is. I'll make sure to tell her tomorrow."
- C. Williams

10) One quote you would like to pass on:

"Pax et Bonum"
- B. Isoner

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
- K. Frisque