Hello and a question about recommendations

Hi all.

First of all, I usually do not start threads on the same day I join a forum (I consider it bad form, prefering instead to lurk for a time and get a feel of the place).

However.

I am applying to a japanese language school in Tokyo (the name is I think irrelevant for this question). And, in one of the first steps of application, it asks me to contact a Japanese acquaintance to call the school (I guess to assure them that I am a trustworthy human being), and proceed the registration & application process afterwards.

The problem is, I do not have any direct acquaintances living in Japan. The closest I have, is my former Tai-Chi instructor's friends, who, being twice-removed from me and all, do not really want to do it.

As I see it, many schools require it. How do I go about it apart from going to japan / living there beforehand and making some friends (quite a long term strategy that) ?

All this I need to accomplish in January of 2008 (I have financing et. al. down, just need a school to accept me), if I want to start studying 2008 September (which I originally planned).

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

There are some school that don't need guarantor/acquaintances in Japan to get in. I can probably name you a few later if someone else haven't done so.

Well, if you still need the Japanese acquaintance, perhaps the Embassy of your country in Japan could help you with informations about how to proceed