How to Contact Your Property Management Company in Japan Without Speaking Japanese
Many foreign tenants in Japan face the same situation after moving into their apartment:
“I need to contact the property management company, but I don’t speak Japanese well. What should I do?”
The good news is that this is a very common concern — and there are several simple and effective ways to handle it. Even with limited Japanese, you can still communicate smoothly and resolve most issues without stress.
This guide will walk you through the most practical options.
1. What Does a Property Management Company Handle?
After moving in, your property management company is your main point of contact for almost everything related to the apartment.
They typically handle things like equipment issues, rent-related questions, building problems, and contract matters. This includes situations such as air conditioner malfunctions, hot water issues, noise complaints, renewal procedures, or moving out.
So if something happens in your apartment, this is the company you will need to contact.
2. Check If You Have a 24-Hour Support Service
Many rental contracts in Japan include a 24-hour support service (24時間サポート).
This service is designed to help tenants with emergencies and daily living issues. In some cases, multilingual support is available, which makes it especially helpful for foreign tenants.
If your contract includes this service, it is often the easiest and fastest place to start when something goes wrong.
3. You Can Also Contact Your Guarantee Company
If you are using a rent guarantee company (保証会社) — which is very common in Japan — they can also be a useful point of contact.
Many guarantee companies provide support for foreign tenants and can help guide you, explain what to do, or even assist in contacting the management company on your behalf.
This is a good option if you are unsure where to start.
4. The Most Recommended Method: Use the Inquiry Form
If you are not comfortable speaking Japanese, the best method is usually the inquiry form (お問い合わせ) on the management company’s website.
This is often the easiest and most reliable way to communicate.
Instead of calling, you can write your message using translation tools like Google Translate or DeepL. You can also request email communication by simply adding a note such as “Email reply preferred.”
Compared to phone calls, this method has several advantages:
- No need to speak Japanese
- You can take your time to prepare your message
- Communication records are saved
- Response speed is usually fast
This approach works well for most situations, including repair requests, contract questions, and general inquiries about your apartment.
5. Check If There Is a Resident App
Many management companies in Japan now provide a resident support app.
Through these apps, you can submit repair requests, send messages, and receive updates about your building. Some apps are designed to be user-friendly even for non-Japanese speakers.
If your building offers one, installing it early will make communication much easier.
6. Your Real Estate Agent Can Still Help
If you are still unsure how to proceed, you can always contact the real estate agent who helped you sign the contract.
This is especially helpful shortly after moving in or when you are dealing with something for the first time. Your agent can guide you, explain the process, or help communicate if necessary.
7. Prepare Basic Information Before Contacting
To make communication smoother, it helps to prepare a few key details in advance.
For example:
- Your room number
- Your name
- A simple description of the issue
- When the problem started
Even short sentences written with translation tools are usually enough for the management company to understand and respond.
Final Note
Living in Japan without strong Japanese skills can feel challenging at times, but with the right support, managing your apartment doesn’t have to be difficult.
If you ever feel unsure about how to contact your management company, or need assistance during your tenancy, working with a reliable real estate agent can make a big difference.
We regularly support international tenants in Tokyo with communication, contracts, and daily living questions — so you can feel confident and comfortable throughout your stay.
