Comments on: Nova’s Death Throes…and where has the media been? http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/ Independent Podcasting from Tokyo. Featuring Seijigiri, a discussion of Japanese news and politics, as well as TPR News, our twice a week look at Japan's top stories. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:41:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Matt Dioguardi http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-425644 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:35:56 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-425644 Some top people at Nova seem to have quit ... Here\'s the link: http://www.asahi.com/business/update/1025/OSK200710250049.html Some top people at Nova seem to have quit …

Here\’s the link:
http://www.asahi.com/business/update/1025/OSK200710250049.html

]]> by: DeOrio http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423518 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:04:30 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423518 Both solid points, Berihebi. I think the gym analogy, especially, is a good one. I've wondered why, in the last few years, as Australia's economy has been one of the few in the wealthy world to post consistently good growth figures, the growing strength of the Australian dollar, apparently rising incomes, and falling unemployment, not to mention the Australian government's aggressive courting of foreign investment, there hasn't been a more noticeable decrease in the number of Aussies who take teaching jobs in Japan for financial reasons. Is it somehow a loss of face for young Aussies to say that they're in Japan because they want to be? Is it more acceptable to say the reason is money? Is the perception of teaching in Japan as being a better option financially than working in Australia so strong that people are still following that path? Is it actually still a much better option financially? Is the job perceived as being less stressful or more enjoyable than working in Australia? Am I missing something else entirely? Is it just the exodus in which all Australians are apparently required to take part before the age of 27? Or has there actually been a big decrease in the in-Japan-for-the-money demographic that I just haven't noticed? Has anyone written a book on the phenomenon of Antipodean Wanderlust? If not, someone should. Maybe that would be the excuse I need to finally take a trip down there. Both solid points, Berihebi. I think the gym analogy, especially, is a good one.

I’ve wondered why, in the last few years, as Australia’s economy has been one of the few in the wealthy world to post consistently good growth figures, the growing strength of the Australian dollar, apparently rising incomes, and falling unemployment, not to mention the Australian government’s aggressive courting of foreign investment, there hasn’t been a more noticeable decrease in the number of Aussies who take teaching jobs in Japan for financial reasons. Is it somehow a loss of face for young Aussies to say that they’re in Japan because they want to be? Is it more acceptable to say the reason is money? Is the perception of teaching in Japan as being a better option financially than working in Australia so strong that people are still following that path? Is it actually still a much better option financially? Is the job perceived as being less stressful or more enjoyable than working in Australia? Am I missing something else entirely? Is it just the exodus in which all Australians are apparently required to take part before the age of 27? Or has there actually been a big decrease in the in-Japan-for-the-money demographic that I just haven’t noticed?

Has anyone written a book on the phenomenon of Antipodean Wanderlust? If not, someone should. Maybe that would be the excuse I need to finally take a trip down there.

]]> by: berihebi http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423194 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:40:46 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423194 One other comment, I think the reason that the Nova story has made it into Australian and NZ media is that a stint of English teaching in Japan has become a rite of passage for people from these countries, almost equal to pulling beers in London. I guess with Nova going out of business there may be some downturn in this as Nova made it easy with pre-organised emploment and accomodation. I had thought in the last couple of years that this steady stream of ANZ youth might slow down anyway. In my go at eikaiwa from 1992-94, 250-300000 yen a month guaranteed was easily preferable to an Australia that was in recession and where the average wage was in the low 30k's a year, especially when the exchange rate was so favourable. In 2007, there's almost full employment, the average wage is closing in on 60k a year and the exchange rate is pretty even. There are more profitable options at home for those that aren't so committed to the travel experience. One other comment, I think the reason that the Nova story has made it into Australian and NZ media is that a stint of English teaching in Japan has become a rite of passage for people from these countries, almost equal to pulling beers in London. I guess with Nova going out of business there may be some downturn in this as Nova made it easy with pre-organised emploment and accomodation. I had thought in the last couple of years that this steady stream of ANZ youth might slow down anyway. In my go at eikaiwa from 1992-94, 250-300000 yen a month guaranteed was easily preferable to an Australia that was in recession and where the average wage was in the low 30k’s a year, especially when the exchange rate was so favourable. In 2007, there’s almost full employment, the average wage is closing in on 60k a year and the exchange rate is pretty even. There are more profitable options at home for those that aren’t so committed to the travel experience.

]]> by: berihebi http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423114 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:51:22 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-423114 Another reason that the story hasn't gained much attention might be that despite the money involved, the eikaiwa industry just isn't considered that important or serious. I'm not denying the importance of the situation to the staff and teachers and students involved who are out of pocket but in the greater scheme of things it would be pretty small wouldn't it? From what I've seen Sahashi and his family own the vast majority of shares and I doubt any serious investor would have Nova as the main focus of their portfolio anyway, so it's not like there are going to be many retirement savings affected by the collapse. I think a suitable comparison in the west might be a large national chain of gyms that goes out of business. Too bad for the members who lose out on a few months membership and the staff who lose their jobs but in the end, onto the next gym. Another reason that the story hasn’t gained much attention might be that despite the money involved, the eikaiwa industry just isn’t considered that important or serious. I’m not denying the importance of the situation to the staff and teachers and students involved who are out of pocket but in the greater scheme of things it would be pretty small wouldn’t it? From what I’ve seen Sahashi and his family own the vast majority of shares and I doubt any serious investor would have Nova as the main focus of their portfolio anyway, so it’s not like there are going to be many retirement savings affected by the collapse.
I think a suitable comparison in the west might be a large national chain of gyms that goes out of business. Too bad for the members who lose out on a few months membership and the staff who lose their jobs but in the end, onto the next gym.

]]> by: Muteki http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-422286 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:10:54 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-422286 Updated the names of the files as suggested to prevent deletion. Updated the names of the files as suggested to prevent deletion.

]]> by: Turner http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-420872 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:47:39 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-420872 Anyone else notice that guy was half a second away from saying "bullshit" on national television? Anyone else notice that guy was half a second away from saying “bullshit” on national television?

]]> by: Tristan http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419817 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 05:06:38 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419817 Alot of interesting points there-I was called by the nova teacher in the interview beforehand,KTV had wanted someone to interview "in the worst position";my first,split-second reaction was that this was a laudable effort to shock people into support&sympathy for nova workers,some of whom have been here for less than a month;some of whom have families&mortgages,but that feeling was strongly counter-balanced by the fact that what the press usually wants is sensation&drama to grab eyeballs,it seems-but at the very least the report showed whats happening to real people,& has been happening for months,and did have commentary from someone who knows the law in the utmost detail AND the evil of nova,Mr.Nakamura(he's my lawyer)-In comparison,I had an in-depth interview with TVOsaka about nova a month or more ago,which ran for almost 2 hours&which resulted in less than 2 minutes of air-time-I guess that it lacked drama.The impression you get is that unless it`s "cute" foreigners doing "cute,foreign things",like being forced to protest outside Government offices to get them to do their job(uphold labour standards,prosecute those that completely ignore&disrepect them),then your best bet for media coverage is self-immolation or late stage ebola,otherwise the majority of the press won't ask you a question,let alone an important one,especially if,like me&a majority of English teachers,your Japanese is not up to scratch.There have been some excellent articles,but they are usually&overwhelmingly too often coming from either business commentators who seem able to wield a lantern of truth through the stygian depths that seem prevalent in far too many corners of modern business,or non-Japanese commentators;this is an issue about business,but more importantly it's about justice&the fair treatment of human beings;a 2-paragraph story is not in-depth journalism, on an issue that touches many ,(no,not the latest on Pan-Kun,we're talking about an evil monkey). The press have really helped workers&the Union so far to publicize the terrible or at best for some potentially terrible situation many are in&the truth about nova&I thank them,we thank them for that:I would especially like to thank Keiko Nakagiri&Yuko Hoshizaki from KTV for their care,support,diligence&help. But if the goal of a majority of the media is a side-show spectacle,then,they can keep the Circuses,we'll take the bread,thanks. Tristan Sime Nova Union Branch Chair Alot of interesting points there-I was called by the nova teacher in the interview beforehand,KTV had wanted someone to interview “in the worst position”;my first,split-second reaction was that this was a laudable effort to shock people into support&sympathy for nova workers,some of whom have been here for less than a month;some of whom have families&mortgages,but that feeling was strongly counter-balanced by the fact that what the press usually wants is sensation&drama to grab eyeballs,it seems-but at the very least the report showed whats happening to real people,& has been happening for months,and did have commentary from someone who knows the law in the utmost detail AND the evil of nova,Mr.Nakamura(he’s my lawyer)-In comparison,I had an in-depth interview with TVOsaka about nova a month or more ago,which ran for almost 2 hours&which resulted in less than 2 minutes of air-time-I guess that it lacked drama.The impression you get is that unless it`s “cute” foreigners doing “cute,foreign things”,like being forced to protest outside Government offices to get them to do their job(uphold labour standards,prosecute those that completely ignore&disrepect them),then your best bet for media coverage is self-immolation or late stage ebola,otherwise the majority of the press won’t ask you a question,let alone an important one,especially if,like me&a majority of English teachers,your Japanese is not up to scratch.There have been some excellent articles,but they are usually&overwhelmingly too often coming from either business commentators who seem able to wield a lantern of truth through the stygian depths that seem prevalent in far too many corners of modern business,or non-Japanese commentators;this is an issue about business,but more importantly it’s about justice&the fair treatment of human beings;a 2-paragraph story is not in-depth journalism, on an issue that touches many ,(no,not the latest on Pan-Kun,we’re talking about an evil monkey).
The press have really helped workers&the Union so far to publicize the terrible or at best for some potentially terrible situation many are in&the truth about nova&I thank them,we thank them for that:I would especially like to thank Keiko Nakagiri&Yuko Hoshizaki from KTV for their care,support,diligence&help.
But if the goal of a majority of the media is a side-show spectacle,then,they can keep the Circuses,we’ll take the bread,thanks.
Tristan Sime
Nova Union Branch Chair

]]> by: Turner http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419694 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:08:17 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419694 Regarding the libel law, that's certainly true, but we know they have ways around that and still insinuate whatever they want. Just watch five minutes of FoxNews... ugh... Regarding the libel law, that’s certainly true, but we know they have ways around that and still insinuate whatever they want. Just watch five minutes of FoxNews… ugh…

]]> by: DeOrio http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419407 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 02:10:47 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419407 Interesting question. I think we're looking at the interplay of a lot of factors here. First, I think the reaction of an American stock exchange, shareholders, and regulators, not to mention employees and customers, would be quite different from what we've seen here. Second, the US media, especially in business, seems to have a bigger pundit class, whose livelihoods and continued popularity are based on a willingness to make predictions. Third, the US media is every bit as market-driven as that of Japan and is becoming more and more entertainment-driven all the time. Prof. Takesato Watanabe of Doshisha Univ. has described the US media as becoming "Japanized" and I there's strong argument for this. On the other hand, US libel law would be a factor - it packs a whallop and serves a punitive, deterrent function. Furthermore, I think the US still has a lot of proper, professional, competitive journalism, which would result in reporters trying to get information and analysis out there instead of sitting on it. So, in the end, I just don't know whether nor not we'd see more media coverage. If a service company of 10,000 employees and a million customers went under in the US, would we see more than one spot on TV? More than ten minutes on it? More than occasional articles in big dailies? I don't know, but I'm inclined to doubt it. Interesting question. I think we’re looking at the interplay of a lot of factors here. First, I think the reaction of an American stock exchange, shareholders, and regulators, not to mention employees and customers, would be quite different from what we’ve seen here.

Second, the US media, especially in business, seems to have a bigger pundit class, whose livelihoods and continued popularity are based on a willingness to make predictions.

Third, the US media is every bit as market-driven as that of Japan and is becoming more and more entertainment-driven all the time. Prof. Takesato Watanabe of Doshisha Univ. has described the US media as becoming “Japanized” and I there’s strong argument for this.

On the other hand, US libel law would be a factor - it packs a whallop and serves a punitive, deterrent function.
Furthermore, I think the US still has a lot of proper, professional, competitive journalism, which would result in reporters trying to get information and analysis out there instead of sitting on it.

So, in the end, I just don’t know whether nor not we’d see more media coverage. If a service company of 10,000 employees and a million customers went under in the US, would we see more than one spot on TV? More than ten minutes on it? More than occasional articles in big dailies? I don’t know, but I’m inclined to doubt it.

]]> by: Turner http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419307 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:37:10 +0000 http://www.transpacificradio.com/2007/10/23/novas-death-throes/#comment-419307 Do you see this as a sharp contrast to the American media? If NOVA were a Japanese school in the US affecting the same percentage of the population, I guarantee there would be those who wouldn't hesitate to say it will go bankrupt, or has already (thus ensuring it). Do you see this as a sharp contrast to the American media? If NOVA were a Japanese school in the US affecting the same percentage of the population, I guarantee there would be those who wouldn’t hesitate to say it will go bankrupt, or has already (thus ensuring it).

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