Guarantor Companies in Japan

Finding a place to rent in Japan can be challenging — especially for foreigners. One of the biggest hurdles is the requirement for a guarantor company (保証会社). These companies act as co-signers and are often mandatory. But not all of them are foreigner-friendly.

In this guide, we compare the most well-known guarantor companies in Japan based on:

• Language support
• Visa compatibility
• Pricing plans
• Foreign resident success rates

🔍 What Is a Guarantor Company?

A guarantor company is a third-party organization that co-signs your rental agreement. They promise to pay your rent or fees to the landlord if you can’t. Here's what they typically handle:

• Tenant screening and credit checks
• Payment monitoring
• Debt collection in case of missed rent

Most guarantor companies charge:

• An initial fee (30%–100% of one month’s rent)
• A yearly renewal fee or monthly service fee

⚠️ Challenges Foreigners Often Face

Foreign residents may face rejection for the following reasons:

• No Japanese emergency contact
• Limited Japanese language skills
• Short-term visa (e.g. working holiday, student)
• Lack of income or savings in Japan

That’s why it’s important to choose a guarantor company that has experience with foreign clients and understands these challenges.

🧾 How the Payment Process Works

When using a guarantor company, rent payments typically go like this:

• You pay your rent to the guarantor company — not the landlord
• The payment is usually due by the 27th or 28th of each month
• The guarantor company sends your rent to the landlord at the beginning of the following month

If you miss the payment deadline, the guarantor company pays the landlord on your behalf — and then charges you a penalty fee. In some cases, they may also cover unpaid utility bills, which will also be reclaimed with added service fees.

💡 Tip: Always pay on time. Late payments result in extra fees and may hurt your chances of renting in the future.

🌟 GTN (Global Trust Networks)

GTN is the most foreigner-friendly guarantor company in Japan — and one of the only ones designed exclusively for non-Japanese tenants.

Plan Overview:

• Initial fee: Up to 100% of one month’s rent
• Monthly fee: Around 3.3% of the rent
• Multilingual support: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and more

While GTN is usually more expensive than others, it provides unmatched support and ease of approval. In many cases, using GTN nearly guarantees your application will be accepted.

🏠 Maido Estate Tip: GTN is our top choice for first-timers in Japan or those without a Japanese guarantor. If cost is a concern and the property allows alternatives, we explore other options.

🏠 Nihon Safety (日本セーフティー)

Nihon Safety is one of the most commonly used guarantor companies in Japan — especially among Japanese tenants.

For foreigners, approval is more selective. However, at Maido Estate, we’ve helped many tenants on working holiday or student visas get approved through careful application preparation.

What improves your chances?

• Having a Japanese emergency contact
• Showing stable income or large savings
• Presenting a guarantor (if possible)

💡 Tell your agent in advance if you have a guarantor, income proof, or savings — this could be the key to passing the screening.

📊 Comparison Table: Guarantor Companies in Japan

Company	Foreigner-Friendly	Languages	Initial Fee	Ongoing Fees	Notes
GTN	★★★★★	EN, CN, VN, etc.	Up to 100% of rent	3.3% of rent monthly	Foreigners only. Fast & easy approval.
Nihon Safety	★★★☆☆	Japanese only	50% of rent	Annual fee	Widely used. Approval depends on visa & savings.
Zenhoren	★★☆☆☆	Japanese only	~50% of rent	Annual or lifetime option	Large network. Strict screening for foreigners.
Casa	★★☆☆☆	Japanese only	50–70% of rent	Annual fee (~¥10,000)	Low cost but not always foreigner-friendly.
ForSis	★★★☆☆	Mostly JP, some EN	50–100% of rent	Annual fee	More flexible, often used in Kansai.

📝 Conclusion

Understanding how guarantor companies work can help you avoid misunderstandings, delays, and unexpected costs. While GTN offers the easiest path for most foreigners, other companies like Nihon Safety and ForSis may also work depending on your situation and visa.

If you're unsure which guarantor company applies to your property, contact Maido Estate. We’ll help guide you through the screening process and ensure your application has the best chance of success.