なぜ日本で部屋を借りるには日本人の緊急連絡先が必要なのか

Renting an apartment in Japan can be a surprisingly difficult process — especially for foreigners. Even when you have your paperwork in order, your visa sorted, and funds ready, there's a common yet rarely discussed hurdle: many real estate agents and landlords require a Japanese emergency contact.

This request often comes as a surprise. You might have already visited multiple apartments, submitted applications, and been told everything looks good — only to be stopped with a phrase like, “Please provide a Japanese emergency contact.” If you're new to Japan and don’t have family or close friends here yet, this can feel like a dealbreaker.

What Exactly Is a Japanese Emergency Contact?

A Japanese emergency contact (緊急連絡先) is someone who lives in Japan and can be reached by phone — in Japanese — in case the landlord, agency, or school cannot contact you. They aren’t legally or financially responsible like a guarantor, but they are expected to respond if there’s trouble: unpaid rent, noise complaints, or if you go completely off the grid.

Most landlords strongly prefer — or outright require — that this person be a native Japanese speaker, not a tourist, and not someone who just arrived in the country. Friends visiting on short-term visas, fellow foreigners, or even colleagues who don't want the responsibility often won't qualify.

Why This Requirement Exists

From the landlord’s perspective, it’s a safety net. Renting to someone without a strong local connection can feel risky. Having a Japanese emergency contact gives them peace of mind that, if anything goes wrong, there's someone they can call who understands how things work here and can help resolve the issue quickly.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a legal requirement — it's a cultural and procedural one. But it's common enough that not having a contact will get your application rejected at many agencies, especially in more conservative or rural areas.

So What Can You Do?

Some people turn to their language school teachers, supervisors at work, or casual friends they’ve made — but this often puts both parties in an uncomfortable position. Others end up applying to multiple agencies until they find one that’s more flexible. But all of this adds stress to an already complicated process.

That’s why services like JapanContact exist. Instead of asking for favors or dealing with rejections, some newcomers choose to list a professional emergency contact service that understands what's expected and can respond reliably if contacted. While this option isn’t free, many find it worth it for the peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

If you're planning to rent in Japan, it’s important to prepare not just the usual paperwork but also a local emergency contact. It’s one of those unspoken requirements that can make or break your housing search.

Whether you go through a friend, an employer, or a service — make sure it's someone who can answer a Japanese phone call and reassure your future landlord. It may seem like a small thing, but in Japan, it can make all the difference.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ section to learn more about who qualifies as an emergency contact, how our service works, and what landlords typically expect.