Rafael Caetano
A whole bunch of students at the Yamasa Institute have VISA cards, even 
though most of them are on shugakusei visas. None AFAIK have or needed 
guarantors - though it appears that they just happened to be opening 
their accounts at a time when there was a sales campaign on in full 
swing. Perhaps check the branches of different banks to the one you are 
using?
-- 
"Thank God I'm an atheist" - Luis Bunuel