"¥$(D????(B¼¥$(D??(B" <hohan0len@netscape.net> wrote in message

> Is it standard procedure for real estate to ask for guarantor?

That used to be. Now in Osaka, most agencies accept that you take an
insurance instead of a guarantor.In fact, they prefer as they are sure
insurances will cover automatically if you fail to pay, while guarantors are
not always as sekinin as they should and realtors don't ask spending time
trying to get the money back.
The insurances asks a certificate you've an income, which is easier to
obtain. Of course, landlords can still decide they don't want you...

Kuri