[LoreZyra]

I'm planning to move to 東京 next February. I will have about USD$20,000 in savings. My fiance and I intend to live in Japan. I'm a IT guy with over 10 years documented experience. I'm currently working for a major US bank. However, I've always wanted to experience life in Japan. I'm at the daily conversation level in Japanese. (Native English speaker) I can read and write at least 300 kanji.
Basically, I'm trying to create a "step-by-step" list of things that must be done (in cronological order) before and after arrival in Japan.

[version 5.0]
＊ sanity check - why move... http://www.crnjapan.com/prevention/en/protectselfbeforemarriage.html
＊ inform current employer of intentions
＊ get letter of recommendation from employer
＊ pack up things that will go with you to Japan... sell the rest
＊ get home-country's driver license documents
＊ get letter from friend that introduced fiance to me
＊ get phone records showing international calls to fiance
＊ get passport sized photos of yourself (L4.5 cm x W3.5 cm)
＊ get bank statement for previous 3 months
＊ stay with my parents for a week or so -- cheap rent!
＊ Buy a one-way plane tickets to Japan for fiance and a round-trip for me (have it set for 3months...
＊ ship things you want to keep to Japan - maybe use fiance's parents' place for temp storage
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＊ Verify Sanity check - http://www.crnjapan.com/marriage/en/

＊ Arrive in Japan under tourist visa. Fiance is native... so no problems for her. ** be honest with Immigration: tell them you're there to visit friends and to get married!
＊ stay with fiance’s parents for a _very_ short time... --> search for apartment
＊ mail postcard to yourself, or from someone else, addressed to your new alias at your fiance's place
＊ get Alien Registration card -- from local 市役所／区役所 (card will be mailed to you??; may take 2-3 weeks to process)

＊ register an alias (such as a Japanese name) -- 登録通称名 (use postcard as proof)

＊ register hanko/inkan with alias and get the form that states you registered your判子/印鑑 　　1000円　＠市役所／区役所

＊

get the certificate of registered particulars (外国人登録原票記載事項証明書, gaikokujin touroku genpyou kisaijikou shoumeisho) from same place as your alien registration card

＊Certificate of Competency to Marry (Konin Yoken Gubi Shomeisho 婚姻要件具備証明書) from your Embassy or Consulate, affirming you are legally free to marry in your country. http://japan.usembassy.gov/pdfs/wwwf7114.pdf

＊ get apartment in her name ＊ get utilities in her name for apartment
＊ get cellphones using finace's name

＊ get medical stuff for marriage certificate done

＊ get copy of wife’s passport
＊ get married --> have photographer take lots of pictures for memories (& gov)
＊ register marriage(婚姻届 Kon-in Todoke) with local governments and the consular for my gov...


＊ get Certificate of Acceptance 受理証明書 for marriage

＊ Get two copies of the koseki!! Send one copy to my Mom in the US.
＊ update registration with marriage documents
＊"Certificate of Acceptance of Notification of Marriage" (Kon-in Todoke Juri Shomeisho 婚姻届受理証明書) as proof of marriage.　--> send copy back to USA --Y1500

＊get spousal visa documents 配偶者ビザ (expect 2month wait for visa doc's to return) http://www.moj.go.jp/ONLINE/IMMIGRATION/16-2.html

＊ insurance: health -- NHI if no job
＊ setup local bank account with your & wife's name... (keep some moneys in your US bank too...)
＊ have JAF translate the license info for Japanese license
＊ get Japanese Driver's license
＊ get parking space for transportation -- I prefer a motorcycle
＊ register parking space with local police - 自動車教会
＊ get motorcycle or car (if you didn't already ship it to Japan)
＊ insurance: car/motorcycle
＊ if job offer doesn't already exist, get one. show potential employer that you have already established yourself in Japan. Wife, visa, place, car, skills, etc...
＊ continue studying Japanese in spare time.＊ make spare time
＊ Establish savings for future children - hospitals expect money up front (ins. will reimburse later)
＊In the event of any kids born, (*congrats*) be sure to update koseki and make sure you're listed as the father. Send copy of updated koseki touhon back to USA...
＊ After living there (successfully) for 4-5 years, apply for permanent resident status... this way I won't have to rely on the spousal visa...

Am I missing anything??? Constructive comments are appreciated.

Is there a procedure I should follow for my visa? Will I encounter any problems if I come in as a tourist first?? I intend to marry my fiance in Japan... not before moving there...