Tsuneo Kusunoki
Encyclopedia
is the founder of the now-bankrupt GEOS Corporation
, previously one of the major eikaiwa
(private school for conversational English
) providers in Japan
.
and Tsuneo Kusunoki founded the company AMVIC, an acronym of the phrase, "for AMbition and VICtory." The company would focus on foreign language studies.
Later, AMVIC International would be split into two divisions. Aki became the head of AMVIC Gaigogakuin (AMVIC 外語学院), which provided foreign language training for students. Kusunoki would assume control of the AMVIC Eikaiwa (AMVIC 英会話), which specialized in English language education for non-native speakers. In 1989, Kusunoki's branch of AMVIC International entered negotiations with Warner Pacific College
to assume control of 49% of its physical plant for $6 million, a 30-year lease on the schools facilities, and a seat as a regent of the school.
Not long after, AMVIC International split into two separate companies, after the former partners developed differing visions of the company's future. Aki went on to create Aeon
, focusing on language learning in Japan. Aki remains Aeon's President. Kusunoki created GEOS, focusing on global language learning with focus on English language education.
Kusunoki, who has not been present at the press conferences, has said "the bankruptcy was filed by a member of the board and a small group of employees. It is not the will of the company." There has been some serious disagreement among the management at the company for some time. Specifically, those that filed the bankruptcy were board member Kazumi Sugihara and two employees. Normally filing for bankruptcy requires agreement among all the board members, but they filed under a special "semi-personal bankruptcy," something that according to GEOS' lawyer Nobuaki Kobayashi is perfectly legal and valid. Kusunoki's complaints may hold up the bankruptcy process significantly.
GEOS (eikaiwa)
was one of the Big Four private eikaiwa, or English conversation teaching companies, in Japan. Its extensive network of overseas schools made it the world's largest language school chain. The firm went into bankruptcy in Japan on 20 April 2010...
, previously one of the major eikaiwa
Eikaiwa
or often shortened to , are English conversation schools, usually privately operated, in Japan. It is a combination of the word and.Although the Japanese public education system mandates that English be taught as part of the curriculum from fifth grade, the focus is generally on English grammar...
(private school for conversational English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
) providers in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Founding
In 1973, roommates Kiyoshi AkiKiyoshi Aki
is the owner and founder of Aeon Corporation, one of the "Big Four" eikaiwa schools in Japan.- Founding of Aeon :In 1973, Aki and university classmate Tsuneo Kusunoki founded the company AMVIC...
and Tsuneo Kusunoki founded the company AMVIC, an acronym of the phrase, "for AMbition and VICtory." The company would focus on foreign language studies.
Later, AMVIC International would be split into two divisions. Aki became the head of AMVIC Gaigogakuin (AMVIC 外語学院), which provided foreign language training for students. Kusunoki would assume control of the AMVIC Eikaiwa (AMVIC 英会話), which specialized in English language education for non-native speakers. In 1989, Kusunoki's branch of AMVIC International entered negotiations with Warner Pacific College
Warner Pacific College
Warner Pacific College is an urban, Christian liberal arts college located in Southeast Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1937, the college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities...
to assume control of 49% of its physical plant for $6 million, a 30-year lease on the schools facilities, and a seat as a regent of the school.
Not long after, AMVIC International split into two separate companies, after the former partners developed differing visions of the company's future. Aki went on to create Aeon
AEON (eikaiwa)
is a chain of English conversation teaching companies in Japan. It is considered one of the historical "Big Four" eikaiwa schools. Although it shares a nearly identical name in English, Aeon is not affiliated with the Aeon Group, a major Japanese retail and financial services corporation.The...
, focusing on language learning in Japan. Aki remains Aeon's President. Kusunoki created GEOS, focusing on global language learning with focus on English language education.
Financial crisis
Kusunoki was the company's long standing President and CEO until April 2010. Following debts of 7.5 billion yen, GEOS commenced bankruptcy proceedings with the Tokyo District Court, which ordered its assets protected from creditors.Kusunoki, who has not been present at the press conferences, has said "the bankruptcy was filed by a member of the board and a small group of employees. It is not the will of the company." There has been some serious disagreement among the management at the company for some time. Specifically, those that filed the bankruptcy were board member Kazumi Sugihara and two employees. Normally filing for bankruptcy requires agreement among all the board members, but they filed under a special "semi-personal bankruptcy," something that according to GEOS' lawyer Nobuaki Kobayashi is perfectly legal and valid. Kusunoki's complaints may hold up the bankruptcy process significantly.
External links
- http://www.japannewstoday.com/?tag=geos-bankruptcy
- http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=tsuneo+kusunoki+geos&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=Tsuneo+Kusunoki&gs_rfai=&fp=b5e7b30361da4917
- http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9F7GKMO1&show_article=1