Given that the average length of stay for a NOVA teacher is apprantly 8-10 months I don't see breaking contract is particularly bad.
Technically I broke my contract after 6 months. The most I was told is that I wouldn't get a reference letter from them (not that the so called reference was all that useful anyway).

I actually reapplied for my job back as I found a massive need to stay in Japan but thats a different story.

Bottom line is you can break the contract quite easily, with no repurcussions.


Unless NOVA has suddenly rediddled their rulebook.

PS I'd stay a month or two long than you're planning. You won't really get a decent full pay packet until the third or fourth month, especially if you take the cash advance. You need to be there at least 6 months to make some decent $$$.