Job Discussion Forums

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

applied for a job recently, and while there are other factors that make the job less than ideal, one thing stuck in my head. The eployer won't act as a guarantor, and does not provide any help with finding accomodation.

How serious an issue is this? To me, acting as a guarantor says he can guarantee I will have enough money to pay the rent and the cost of any damages. If an employer can't make that claim, it seems dubious.

I realise that most Japanese people use parents or relatives, but afaik one requirement for guarantors is that they be 1) in Japan, and 2) Japanese. This doesn't usually apply to foreign workers.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

In my opinion, the first thing running through my head is... what kind of employer expects a foreigner who probably doesn't speak the language to fly here on his own, thousands of miles from home, and try to get set up in an apartment? Furthermore, he will pay you a salary, and is (likely) your visa sponsor, but he won't serve as a guarantor for your apartment? Pretty slack-minded businessman, if you ask me.

You are going to have a fairly hard time getting an apartment on your own, even if you speak the language reasonably well, because most places REQUIRE a guarantor, even if you are Japanese. What is this employer thinking???

You are also going to have to put up 2-5 months's rent equivalent just to move in, and you will have to furnish it with refrigerator, stove, washing machine, curtains, and EVERYTHING else in order to live. Yeah, things can be had from the garbage stations and secondhand stores and 100-yen shops, but WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TO?

There ARE places that accept people without guarantors and key money. See this thread, but this is no guarantee that you will be living in this area, or that such places are near your office. I'm sure there are more, such as gaijin houses, but we would need to know your location to help you more.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=4264&highlight=guarantor+key+money

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

I think this is an easy one. Just move on and apply to a different school.

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

canuk is right. The 1st thing in my mind when I read your post was, "What kind of employer is this???!!" I would try to ask your employer again to be your guarantor, tell them about the points that glenski suggested, and if they still won't do it, by all means find a different school. That employer is probably not a reliable, caring, or good person to work for.

spidey · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 5:07 am Post subject:

Employers that act as guarantors is definitely the norm in Japan. For this employer not to provide such a service is highly suspect to say the least.

What Canuck said...

S

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

In defence of that employer (not much of a defence to be sure), their will act as an interpreter when speaking to an estate agent.

There is one situation where I would not expect them to over guarantor service, and that is when the employer is renting out their own apartments to you. That doesn't apply to this company i applied for.

Ah well. It's all good interview technique practice I guess.

spidey · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:25 am Post subject:

DON'T MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF!! Twisted Evil

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Why play the game at all?

Go Co-op!

www.udc.go.jp

Where will you be living?

I'd ditch the perspective employer too! Sound like scumbags to me!