Reader BJ is having trouble communicating with his landlord.

"I have tried to go through the real estate agency, but they will not help me. Is there somewhere I can go to get help — someone that can help me negotiate with my landlord?"

There are a number of places you can go for help. First try your local ward office. Ask for the "jutaku kosha." This office will assist you with legal issues, talk to your landlord and hopefully help you work out any problems. They tend to be good at dealing with issues at the local level, and can usually arrange for someone to translate.