"Ashish" <outdia@india.com> wrote in message

> Actually the apartment was in the name of the company where i work ...
> so that they could pay the rent for me and I did not have to pay
> income tax on the rent.
>
> my company has "outsourced" the dealings regarding such apartments to
> another company.

Nothing says the lanlord  is the problem. It can be a simple
misunderstanding between the agent, your company and you.

> so these guys were being paid for negotiating for me.  but the way
> they went about it was very strange.
>
> 0. my deposit was for 340,000 yen (which was 2 months rent).

What is written on the contract your company have signed ? My bet is that
never was a refundable deposit.

> 8. he wrote a very polite mail to me reminding me of my ignorance
> regarding local rental customs.  and suggested that i agree to pay
> 340,000.

You have no choice.

You wouldn't be the first gaijin that though he'd get a deposit back while
it was written from the start (in the contract in Japanese) that he
wouldn't. You already know the Japanese are compulsive liars and tell you
systematically what you want to hear. Especially if they don't understand
themselves what it's about.
I have not enough fingers to count the foreigners that had their
"accomodation arranged by their company". Typically on the English version
it was written "the refundable part of deposit will be paid when you will
leave.Deposit 340 000 yen." And in Japanese "reikin 340 000 yen. Refundable
part : none". And before signing, they had ask the baito staff (that speak
English but are 100% cluecless about any matter of the company and have
never rent flat themselves) : "So I'll get 340 000 yen back ?" and were
systematically "Yes, yes, it's written. It's always like that in Japan.".
In your case, it's even more complicated as there are 2 intermediaries.

>said that the landlord was
> being generous. as he was waiving the 900,000 he will need to change
> the wooden floor.

An excuse of your agent. Having to spend 900 000 yen to reform a flat of
that rent is normal, landlords do it automatically. And they don't count on
the deposit for that, they save a % of the rents for that purpose.
Well next time, ask a copy of the contract. You won't get a better deal, but
you won't have false hopes and will hear less BS.

No relation, but in the style "you don't know the Japanese system so we help
you". There is a small eikaiwa that even dares telling to the teachers to
sign 2 contracts, one in Japanese saying "according to Japanese law,
salaries are paid each month on a fixed day. 40 days maxi after the 1st day
of work" and in English "I agree my salary for the June to September period
will be paid on October 10th.". Of course, they say  "We prefer teachers
that don't speak Japanese, it's better for the students."

> since the apartment was in the company's name, and the COO and the
> Admin guys were basically siding with the other person, i thought it
> would not be possible for me to go to court.

Going to court against your company ? Good luck.

CC