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U.S. Dept. of State
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Information for Americans employed by NOVA

The U.S. Embassy is aware that NOVA filed for court protection on October 26, 2007and has temporarily shut all of its schools in Japan. We are closely monitoring the situation.

NOVA's Foreign Personnel Section contact telephone number for East Japan is in Tokyo at (03) 6688-4441 and for West Japan is in Osaka at (06) 7688-0404. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has also announced that NOVA teachers may call the Shinjuku Employment Assistance and Instruction Center for Foreigners at the Hello Work Office in Shinjuku at (03) 3204-8621 and the Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners at (06) 6344-1135 for advice. NOVA's situation is changing rapidly, and you may wish to follow the English-language websites of some of the major newspapers, including news at these sites:

If you decide you wish to remain in Japan, you may also wish to contact some of the following organizations for advice on employment contracts and Japanese labor regulations. Some teachers may be eligible for unemployment benefits; please contact Hello Work or the following organizations for further information.


The Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners (TESCF)
Website:www.tfemploy.go.jp/index_en.html
Phone:03-3588-8639
The TESCF provides help-wanted information and employment consultation to foreigners and businesses in Japan. The TESCF can also answer questions regarding your visa in Japan and how your employment status will affect it. Through their website, you can link to Hello Work Offices, labor and immigration information services, and immigration bureaus. The TESCF website also provides links to offices in Osaka and other areas of Japan.

Tokyo Metropolitan Labor Consultation Center
Website:www.tfemploy.go.jp/en/coun/cont_4.html#tonai
Phone:03-5211-2346
The center, managed by the City of Tokyo, offers labor related advice and information.

Houterasu
Website:www.houterasu.or.jp (Japanese language only)
Phone:0570-078374
The Houterasu is a nationwide legal support center which helps callers locate professional support in civil and criminal matters.

The General Union
Website:www.generalunion.org
The General Union is a Japanese labor union that is open to all nationalities and has a section devoted to NOVA employees. Please check their website for news updates and information and options for employees.

Tokyo English Lifeline
Website:www.telljp.com
The Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is a free, anonymous telephone counseling service in English. You can call TELL 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 03-5774-0992. TELL also provides face-to-face counseling on a flexible-fee basis. To inquire about this service, call 03-3498-0231.

In addition, here is a link to a list of attorneys who speak English who may be able to assist you. If you require financial assistance, you could request that your family wire funds through the U.S. Department of State here or purchase an e-ticket on your behalf.

Singapore Airlines in Japan has informed the Embassy that it will offer a preferential fare to American citizen NOVA employees seeking to return to the United States. The Singapore Airlines Japan contact telephone number for inquiries is 03-3213-3431. United Airlines is also offering a special fare to American Citizen NOVA employees to fly to Los Angeles. United Airlines asks that Americans go through IACE TRAVEL's Tokyo main office at 03-5282-1511 and ask for either Mr. Matsui or Ms. Kitada. Those who need to fly beyond the West Coast should inquire about the additional charges at the same time. Americans considering the timing of a return to the Unites States are advised to bear in mind that air fares tend to increase as the traditional peak travel season towards the end of the year approaches.

Please feel free to contact American Citizen Services in Tokyo if you have further questions or concerns at 03-3224-5000 or by e-mail at TokyoACS@state.gov, or contact your closest Consulate or Consulate General directly. Click here for contact information. You may also visit our main Web page here. We offer a handy A to Z guide of services.