In response to Gavin Moore's Dec. 9 letter, "Picking up after the collapse": It is truly appreciated that Moore spends his time helping former Nova students and teachers get in contact with each other. But he should be careful not to do the former Nova teachers a disservice.
The usual visa for working in Japan as an English teacher does not allow one to run one's own private business. For that purpose you need either to be a permanent resident or to get a special visa for running your own business. The latter is extremely difficult to obtain.
Japanese immigration authorities have at a number of occasions shown zero tolerance and have recently toughened punishment for visa violations. Expulsion and a ban from entering Japan for 10 years could result. I would therefore strongly urge former Nova teachers to consult with the Immigration Office before engaging in new work.
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