Interesting response from Immigration about guarantor requirement for ancestry/nikkei visas, thoughts?

So I'm still working on securing a guarantor for 3 COE (Child of a Japanese national, sansei teijuusha/long term resident, and spousal teijuusha/long term resident) and I decided to finally reach out to immigration directly and simply ask: (although I asked only about the first two COE for some reason).

Dear Immigration Services Agency of Japan,

I am writing to inquire about the Long-Term Resident (Teijuusha) visa for third-generation Japanese descendants for myself, as well as the Child of a Japanese National Visa for my mother.

I understand that a guarantor is a required part of the application process. However, I have not been able to secure a guarantor in Japan. Unfortunately we had lost connection with our extended Japanese family in the 70's, and are currently searching for them. We are hesitant to use a guarantor service as we have been advised against it. 

Could you please advise whether it is possible to apply without a guarantor? and if so, what alternative documents or procedures would be acceptable?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

I hadn't reached out prior as I have a lawyer under contract and am trusting her knowledge and expertise. I do consider myself pretty well versed in what is required for these applications types, but the following is directly from immigration: (emailed to and replied from: [info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp](mailto:info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp))

This is Information Center for ''Immigration Services Agency''
In regards to your inquiry, we will answer as follows.

Regarding to your inquiry, if you are in adult age, you can be your mother’s guarantor and your mother can be your guarantor.

Thank you.

So now I am confused! To be frank I don't think it could be must clear, but I asked a follow up question anyways, telling them we're US citizens and definitely do not have 住民票 (although this is a given since we're asking about visas).

As anyone heard of this before?
I am purely seeking others experiences about this, not seeking legal advice. Naturally I will be reaching out to my lawyer too once I get the follow up response.

I've heard there is a methods or two for applying without a guarantor, but that they usually result in the application being denied. Is this one of those methods?
I'm suspecting this is maybe why my lawyer didn't mention this before. It's either that or this is a "fringe case" that there's simply no documentation online (in English) for or rarely experienced by lawyers.

Thanks 🙂