Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

In the forums, Inflames provides a link to a G.communication PDF. It seems that they have decided to rent out space at its Yaesu school. There's nothing unusual about this as businesses look for ways to generate revenue during the economic collapse. I've heard about parts manufacturers making confectioneries to help make ends meet. Still, it suggests that business isn't very good at the Yaesu school.

Let's back up a bit to March 2008:

YAESU NOVA

Well, not surprising, the opening of the YAESU school today was a complete bomb! They had a total of about 7 calls and hardly any visitors. There are plans to open new schools in Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza next. One has to wonder if they'll get the word out for those schools.

Now, fast forward to the present:

The reason for this is that Yaesu has now become a HALF DAY school. Its only open from 5-9, Monday-Friday. It used to be a regular school. I worked there for six months, up until the end of last year almost, but then got the forced transfer BS and was told to move - as have other instructors, due to the reduced operating hours.

It doesnt surprise me now that they have to rent out the rooms - probably just to cover the rent. My understanding is that now ALL of the instructors that teach there are newbies, who came after the collapse and received the Mickey Mouse, lecture-style training by Mr.Smiley and crew. Some received actual training, basically like OJT (especially last year, cuz we had training every couple weeks and I was doing Obs for pretty much the whole six months I was there). At the time I was there, however, and shortly thereafter, the instructors (myself included) pulled through the bankruptcy and had gone through Old Novas system of training (again, nothing amazing, but more comprehensive than what most have received following the collapse), and were used to the textbooks, the lessons, etc.. Even instructors that were relatively new (started with Neo-nova) were working with seasoned instructors and could receive tips/advice if they wanted it.

The flyer is straightforward: the Yaesu school has space for rent. Says the first ad:

1. 2 minutes from the Yaesu Exit
2. So close, you can catch your (bullet) train with seconds to spare
3. No other businesses next to the school. Nice and quiet
4. Close to izakayas, so you can head out for a drink after your meeting
5. Same-day reservations available

There are four rooms (1 ten-person and 3 six-person rooms) with videophone booths, white boards, and access to washroom. The 6-person room rents for ¥3000/hour while the larger room goes for ¥4500/hour.

The second ad is more of the same, but with an added touch of humor. This time, instead of a meeting room, G. com is renting out "private offices" which suspiciously resemble the meeting rooms, for the low price of ¥500/hour. Again, the 5 merits of their service:

1. 2 minutes from the Yaesu Exit
2. So close, you can catch your (bullet) train with seconds to spare
3. No other businesses next to the school. Nice and quiet
4. Large desks for efficient work
5. It's cheap

The hilarity is in the two text boxes in the bottom right corner.

The top one says, "All you can drink coffee" and the bottom one, "OK to ask foreigners questions after 5:00 P.M." How demoralizing. Instead of giving lessons, instructors will be expected to entertain users and their endless parade of hits such as, Do you know Ichiro? How long you Japan? and the timeless classic, Can you eat Japanese food? Why not just turn the school into a host/ess bar and be done with it?

I wonder if there's a catch here. ¥500 for the first hour and ¥400 for every subsequent hour is really cheap, and I don't see how that covers costs unless all of the offices are used. Will users have to sit through a sales pitch for lessons? Does G.Com hope that people will magically sign up after renting their rooms? Moreover, what's to stop someone from using this service as an eikaiwa? Would a businessman be able to snag an instructor and have him correct or edit some correspondence?

Like the parts manufacturers forced to make candy, G.Com's attempt at converting the school into a meeting space is delaying the inevitable. If you can't make a go of your primary business, it's time to think about closing the school or downsizing it, and accept the fact that it will never be very busy or profitable.