身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)

みもとほしょうにん
noun
personal guarantor; reference guarantor
formalsocietylaw
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(みもとほしょうにん)が必要(ひつよう)です。
A guarantor is required.
父(ちち)に身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)になってもらった。
I had my father act as my guarantor.
最近(さいきん)は身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)を立(た)てる代(か)わりに保証会社(ほしょうがいしゃ)を利用(りよう)する人(ひと)が増(ふ)えている。
Recently, more people are using guarantor companies instead of finding a personal guarantor.

Composed of 身元(みもと) (a person's background, identity), 保証(ほしょう) (guarantee, assurance), and 人(にん) (person). In Japan, a 身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん) 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(ほしょうがいしゃ)) have become increasingly common.

Common collocations

  • 身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)になる: to become someone's guarantor
  • 身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)を立(た)てる: to secure/designate a guarantor
  • 身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)が必要(ひつよう): a guarantor is required
  • 身元保証人(みもとほしょうにん)を頼(たの)む: to ask someone to be a guarantor
  • 身元保証(みもとほしょう)書(しょ): guarantor form/document

Similar words

  • 連帯保証人(れんたいほしょうにん): joint guarantor — a stronger legal obligation, jointly liable for debts
  • 保証人(ほしょうにん): guarantor (general term)
  • 身元引受人(みもとひきうけにん): person who takes responsibility for someone (often used for released prisoners, hospital patients, etc.)
  • 保証会社(ほしょうがいしゃ): guarantor company

Related Words

Compare: 連帯(れんたい)保証人(ほしょうにん) (joint guarantor)
general
Added 2026.4.11 21:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23000/23242_mimotohoshounin