I’ve picked a bad time to consider teaching English in Japan. The largest English-language-teaching company in Japan, Nova Group, went bankrupt this past week and has a debt of over 43.9 billion yen. This has left over 4,400 foreign instructors without wages for the last several weeks of employment, and now the company has closed down all of its schools.
Needless to say, with so many people out of jobs, there will be plenty of competition for the English teaching positions that still exist in the country. Based on the requirements of the specific program I’ve been considering (JET), I don’t know that many of these newly-unemployed individuals would be able to apply for these positions, but it will make it more difficult regardless.
I’ve also picked now of all times to become satisfied with life. I’m not complaining about this… I’m actually quite glad to be where I am. Work isn’t perfect, but it never will be and I’m enjoying getting to know the people around me on the bus, at work, church, and elsewhere.