1.
personal guarantor; reference guarantor
A person who formally vouches for someone's identity, character, and reliability, and who may take financial responsibility for the individual's obligations. Often required when renting an apartment, starting a job, or entering a hospital in Japan.
身元保証人が必要です。
A guarantor is required.
父に身元保証人になってもらった。
I had my father act as my guarantor.
最近は身元保証人を立てる代わりに保証会社を利用する人が増えている。
Recently, more people are using guarantor companies instead of finding a personal guarantor.
Composed of 身元 (a person's background, identity), 保証 (guarantee, assurance), and 人 (person). In Japan, a 身元保証人 is traditionally required in many formal situations — signing an apartment lease, being hired at a company, or being admitted to a hospital or nursing facility. The guarantor typically assumes legal and financial responsibility if the person fails to meet their obligations. Because finding a personal guarantor can be difficult, especially for foreigners and elderly people living alone, commercial guarantor services (保証会社) have become increasingly common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 身元保証人になる: to become someone's guarantor
- 身元保証人を立てる: to secure/designate a guarantor
- 身元保証人が必要: a guarantor is required
- 身元保証人を頼む: to ask someone to be a guarantor
- 身元保証書: guarantor form/document
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 連帯保証人: joint guarantor — a stronger legal obligation, jointly liable for debts
- 保証人: guarantor (general term)
- 身元引受人: person who takes responsibility for someone (often used for released prisoners, hospital patients, etc.)
- 保証会社: guarantor company