The UK embassy in Tokyo has said it will help hundreds of teachers after Japan's largest language schools chain filed for protection from creditors.
The UK embassy in Tokyo has said it will help hundreds of teachers after Japan's largest language schools chain filed for protection from creditors.
Nova Corp, which mainly offers English classes, did not pay its 4,000 foreign staff for October, unions have said.
Nova Corp, which mainly offers English classes, did not pay its 4,000 foreign staff for October, unions have said.
In a statement, the embassy said it was unable to provide financial assistance to those affected, but could help them contact family and friends.
In a statement, the embassy said it was unable to provide financial assistance to those affected, but could help them contact family and friends.
It added that its officials were "closely monitoring the situation".
It added that its officials were "closely monitoring the situation".
Major employers
Major employers
The statement also urged employees to contact regional Nova offices, local labour advisory centres and the General Union, which represents the company's teachers.
The statement also urged employees to contact regional Nova offices, local labour advisory centres and the General Union, which represents the company's teachers.
The firm, which mainly offers English classes, has more than 800 schools and 400,000 students across Japan.
The firm, which mainly offers English classes, has more than 800 schools and 400,000 students across Japan.
But in June, it was ordered to suspend part of its operations, after a court ruled it had misled customers in advertisements about some services.
But in June, it was ordered to suspend part of its operations, after a court ruled it had misled customers in advertisements about some services.
Since then, student enrolment has fallen sharply and Nova has accumulated debts of up to JPY50bn ($437m, £213m).
Since then, student enrolment has fallen sharply and Nova has accumulated debts of up to JPY50bn ($437m, £213m).
Its 2,000 Japanese staff have not been paid since July, union officials said.
Its 2,000 Japanese staff have not been paid since July, union officials said.
Nova has now closed all its schools, Kyodo news agency said.
Nova has now closed all its schools, Kyodo news agency said.
A court-appointed trustee will sort out its debts and seek sponsors to rebuild its business, Japanese media reports said.
A court-appointed trustee will sort out its debts and seek sponsors to rebuild its business, Japanese media reports said.
Nova is one of Japan's major employers of foreign nationals. Murdered Briton Lindsay Anne Hawker was working for Nova at the time of her death.
Nova is one of Japan's major employers of foreign nationals. Murdered Briton Lindsay Anne Hawker was working for Nova at the time of her death.
Have you been affected by this? Do you work for Nova Corp? Are you a General Union member helping those teachers involved? We'd like to hear from you. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
Have you been affected by this? Do you work for Nova Corp? Are you a General Union member helping those teachers involved? We'd like to hear from you. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
