[Tsuwabuki]

Well, I'm sad to say that the current crop here in Fukuchiyama all replaced really awful folks, so this BoE still has recent memory of totally irresponsible folks. But yeah, I think you're right, that the situation is getting better. Positions are down, applicants are up, and while some school districts seem to be in a race to the bottom, others are realising hiring on full time native English teachers as part of the staff is a wise investment. The positions are the reason I am pursuing a masters and a Japanese teaching license: they pay 350,000円 or more a month.