Updated: 15 February 08

The British Embassy and Consulate General are aware of recent concerns regarding payment of wages to NOVA employees, and we are closely monitoring the situation and are providing appropriate consular assistance.

Nova filed for court protection from creditors on 26 October 2007 with the Osaka District Court. The company has said it will make efforts to find a sponsor for its rehabilitation under the supervision of an administrator to be appointed by the court.

We strongly advise employees with concerns to contact one of the two regional Nova offices which have been tasked with responding to employee queries, the workers' union representing Nova employees, and their local labour advisory office. Contact details are:

West Japan: Osaka office 06-7688-0404
East Japan: Tokyo office 03-6688-4441

Please note that information on recent developments is also available on Nova's website
http://www.nova.ne.jp

JMA Insurance policies

Nova issued a notice on 30 October advising staff of the termination of JMA Insurance policies with effect October 31, 2007. Nova advise those who require insurance after that date to join another insurance scheme. A copy of the notice and details of alternate insurance providers in Japan is available on the Nova website at: http://www.nova.ne.jp/information/to-staffs.html

The British Embassy/Consulate-General strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance for your stay in Japan.

Since this is a private employment issue under the Japanese legal system there are limits to our involvement.

You can find details of the range of assistance we provide to British Nationals overseas at:

http://www.uknow.or.jp/be_e/consular/other/protection.htm

We can assist by referring British Nationals to local services and official Japanese advisory organisations. Here is a list of organisations you may find it useful to contact. These are for information only and do not constitute an endorsement by the British Embassy or Consulate General.

The General Union has a specific website for concerned NOVA employees to which you might wish to refer. The website is being updated on a regular basis and has useful information regarding pay. There is also a request for anyone who has been threatened with eviction to email the union immediately. Please see the following link:

http://www.generalunion.org/nova/

They also offered advice in an article which appeared in the Japan Times:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070925a1.html

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has advised that a one-stop counselling corner will be available at the main service centres in Tokyo and Osaka (details below) and that counselling on the following matters will be available:

1. Vocational Counselling, Placement Services
   
2. Unemployment Insurance
   
3. Advice about unpaid Nova Wages

Interpreters will be present at these centres, as well as staff from the Regional Labour Bureau. Please note that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has advised that it is preferable that people attend in person for counselling. Contact details:

Website: http://www.rofuku.go.jp/oshirase/topics_miharai_forenglish.html

Shinjuku Employment Assistance and Instruction Centre for Foreigners
3F Hello Work Shinjuku Bldg.
2-42-10 Kabukicho
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-8489
Tel: 03-3204-8609 (main switch), 03-3204-8621 (NOVA specific enquiries)
Fax: 03-3204 8619
Opening hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Website: http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/

Osaka Employment Service Centre for Foreigners
15F Osaka Ekimae Dai Ni (2nd) Bldg.
1-2-2 Umeda Kita-Ku
Osaka 530-0001
Tel: 06-6344-1135 Fax: 06-6344-1134
Opening Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
English Language Service: 10:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Thursday, 1:00pm - 6:00pm on Friday.
Website: http://www.osaka-rodo.go.jp/hw/gaisen/E_webpage/guide_to_center.htm

Local Government Offices

You may find it useful to consult the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Consultation Service for Foreigners on 03-5320-7744. They offer advice in English on a range of issues. Their opening times are: Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 12:00 noon and 1:30pm - 5pm.

For employment and labour-specific advice, you might find it useful to speak to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Labour Advisory Service Centre for Foreigners on 03-5211-2346. They offer advice in English from 2:00pm to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

Alternatively, in Osaka and Kobe areas, you may consult the following English language consulting services.

Osaka Labour Bureau, Consulting Corner for Foreign Labourers
Osaka Godo Chosha Nigokan Inspection Division of Labour Standard Dept.
4-1067 Otemae, Chuo Ku, Osaka. Tel. (06) 6949-6490
Consultation in English 9.00-17.00 Monday and Wednesday

Kobe Labour Standards Bureau, Consulting Corner for Foreign Labourers
Tel. (078) 367-9151
Consultation in English 10.00-16.00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Osaka General Union, Telephone Labour Clinic
Tel. (06) 6352-9619
Consultation in English Daily 10.00-18.00

Many City Offices across Japan have foreign residents' consultation services. You may wish to check with your local City Office to see what services they have available.

Legal Services

If you wish to look into the option of hiring a private lawyer, the Embassy and Consulate General provides a list of lawyers with English speaking services:

http://www.uknow.or.jp/be_e/consular/life/lawyers/

Unemployment

In the event of unemployment, we understand that some foreign employees in Japan may be eligible for unemployment benefits. This depends on the type of employment insurance the employee holds, as well as how long they have been working, and under what circumstances they ceased their employment. If you should wish to make enquiries as to whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits, you should consult your local Hello Work Office. The following website advises of some Hello Work Offices that are able to offer foreign language assistance:

http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/en/coun/cont_2.html

Please note that the address for the Hello Work Office in Osaka featured on their website is incorrect and the correct address is as follows.

Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners
1-2-2 Umeda Kita-Ku, Osaka
Osaka Ekimae-Daini Bldg(2nd Bldg) 15th floor
Tel: 06-6344-1135 Fax: 06-6344-1134
e-mail: gaisen@oregano.ocn.ne.jp
HP: http://www.osaka-rodo.go.jp/hw/gaisen/E_webpage/guide_to_center.htm
Office Hour: 10:00am ～ 6:00pm on Mon through Fri.
Language Service
English 　　　10:00am ～ 4:00pm
　　　　　　　　　1:00pm ～ 6:00pm (Fri)

Financial assistance

We encourage British Nationals to protect their rights under Japanese law, and to ensure they have a fall back plan. In the event that you were left with no funds, the Embassy can assist you to contact your family or friends in the UK. However we cannot provide financial funding for British Nationals. You may wish to discuss your situation with your family and friends to make sure you have emergency funds if needed.

Disclaimer

This list is provided by the British Embassy in Tokyo for the convenience of enquirers, but neither HM Government nor HM Representatives abroad can accept any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm or advocate on this list for the consequence of any legal action initiated or advice given.

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