Japan Real Estate + family Income

[yukio_michael]

My girlfriend is getting us an appartment in Usui, and they need to know the Income level of two of my relatives... Now, first, nobody in my family would ever even consider picking up the tab if I happened to skip out on an appartment. (Which I wouldn't do, coincidentally)... So, what do I do about this? In the states this would be co-signing, which is only done by people who are at the bottom of the financial barrell, but my gf tells me this is common....?

I was a little concerned when they needed two family members birthdays, but when they asked for income.... I really got concerned.

Any info, help, is appreciated.

 

[Mike Cash]

Asking for a guarantor is the norm. Asking for income like that, in my experience, is not.

If your girlfriend is Japanese, I'm surprised they're interested in your side of it at all, at least as far as providing guarantors is concerned.

 

[mr.sumo.snr]

I echo Mike's comments. I rented two different apartments with my wife before and after we were married. As far as the letting agency and landlord were concerned I was just a piece of flotsam, all the income checks and other details were asked of my 'significant other'.

Maybe take you custom elsewhere.

Oh yeah - I do remember that the landlords were all very much concerned about how I was going to cope with living in a house with such low ceilings and 180cm door lintels - it's a cliche of course, but at the time I probably chuckled.

 

[Windy]

I can't imagine the real estate agent having a professional interest in the incomes of two of your relatives. I would guess the girlfriend of yours might just be wanting to know what kind of inheritance cash might be coming your way in the future.

 

[yukio_michael]

Thanks everyone. Yes, she was mistaken, I think they are assuming that I may be some sort of advanced sony Aibo... They don't really need much information about me at all. Now, I have to figure out what I'm going to bring.... and how.

 

[mr.sumo.snr]

Thanks everyone. Yes, she was mistaken, I think they are assuming that I may be some sort of advanced sony Aibo... They don't really need much information about me at all. Now, I have to figure out what I'm going to bring.... and how.

Good thinking. Might I suggest that you limit yourself to those items you would consider essential to take with you if going away to college - minus anything electrical, except perhaps a shaver or beard trimmer.

The question most asked by men is about large-size clothing and shoes. These are all available through specialist online sources - and don't cost the earth. Most of the online USA clothing stores ship here. Bring shoes - I always get taxed on shoes when I buy them from LLBean or Eastbay.

Cold cures and other basic medicines are good things to bring. You'll see a few familiar brands - such as Vicks - but not the complete range that you'd find in North America.

Other things you'll learn to live without or discover a Japanese substitute. Do you have a friend or relative who is willing to make the time and effort to mail things. Mothers are good people! Especially when they become grandmothers!

Bring gifts for you future in-laws, nieces and nephews.

 

[Mike Cash]

Cold cures and other basic medicines are good things to bring. You'll see a few familiar brands - such as Vicks - but not the complete range that you'd find in North America.

Bring your favorite brand of butt putty for when you have diarrhea. Otherwise you'll have no escape when well-intentioned Japanese introduce you to ﾂ青ｳﾋ廬ﾅ?ﾃ (Seirogan).

 

[mr.sumo.snr]

Is that the foul smelling stuff?

I forgot to mention indigestion tablets - that is if you tend to suffer. There doesn't seem to be a brand like Rennie, Tums or Bisodol that you just chew to help overcome a Big Mac lunch. And talking of something to chew on after lunch - CONDOMS!

 

[yukio_michael]

I'm most concerned with moving the guts of my computer... I'll cram what clothes I need (I'm fairly thin, about 5,10" and about 135-140 pounds... I've always been able to find clothes)... I wanna bring my girlfriend some food from the States but I have to find things that she hasn't had...

...And a few books, just the language ones that I use most, though my gf is a Japanese teacher...

 

[Mike Cash]

Is that the foul smelling stuff?

The one whose prime ingredient is creosote, yes.

 

[Mike Cash]

I'm most concerned with moving the guts of my computer...

Put your hard drives, CPU, RAM, video card, etc. in bubble wrap. You can pick up a case and motherboard here easily enough.

 

[yukio_michael]

Put your hard drives, CPU, RAM, video card, etc. in bubble wrap. You can pick up a case and motherboard here easily enough.

Yep, exactly what I'm going to do, thanks.