Following are responses to last week's Zeit Gist on the Nova Corp. conversation school chain (see search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070925zg.html):

I am currently a Nova instructor but I am disgusted by the way Nova is misleading new recruits.

In the absence of communication from top management (apart from brief faxes) , official output is via Nova's teachinjapan Web site. On their official "Blog/Chat" link there is proof that Nova is actively encouraging Americans to come to Japan and trust Nova. The following was posted on Sept. 25 after moderation (i.e. it has been sanctioned by Nova):