A new low in Tokyo

I appeared in the article by Jenny Uechi headlined "Prejudice among obstacles facing non-Japanese tenants," (Zeit Gist, Nov. 18). I would like to report a recent event that may interest you.

In my quest for a permanent residence, I found a nice, large 1R apartment in Azabu Juban, Tokyo. I really liked the place and filled out a moshikomisho, which reserved it for me while routine screening was made before signing the contract. Since my company was to be guarantor, we all thought there wouldn't be a problem. However, 24 hours later, I got a call from the agent saying that the elderly couple who owned the building did not want a foreigner living there, and refused my application on the spot. The agent screamed at them to please allow at least a live interview with me and my girlfriend (a Japanese businesswoman). Surely if they met me, a permanent resident of Japan fluent in the language and culture, they would allow me in. But they were adamant, and the real estate agent lost a client.

Then, while showing me other places, his staffer slipped up and said, "This place allows pets, so they should allow foreigners." I politely left their office and went to a different agent in the same area who found a nice place for me owned by a landlord with a more open mind.