Aussies caught up in company collapse

About 1000 Australians were among the 4000 language tutors affected by the recent collapse of Nova Group, once Japan's largest foreign-language tuition company. Nova filed for bankruptcy on October 26 and closed more than 800 school branches around Japan. Foreign employees have reportedly not been paid since mid-September and have a wait of six months or more before potential financial support is available from unemployment insurance or government compensation. The Australian Embassy in Tokyo has offered Australian teachers $150 and consular assistance to alleviate any immediate financial or personal difficulties. To assist teachers needing to return home, Qantas has offered Australian Nova employees discounted one-way fares for a limited time.