[Lilongyue]

In regards to the human vs. machine translation question, something to keep in mind is that you're not just learning a language, but also a culture. The two are inseperable. A machine will never be able to understand culture. MMM is also right in saying that you should study a foreign language in it's country of origin. If you apply yourself, you will learn at an extremly accelerated rate. Couldn't hurt to get some of the basics of the language in your home country, and then afterwards go to Japan. I'd tell anyone seriously interested in learning a foreign language to do it abroad.

Few words of advice about studying a foreign language abroad:
1) Get a local girlfriend, or boyfriend - this is the best way to learn a language, hands-down
2) Make sure all you friends ARE NOT other English speaking foreigners. Last semester I had classmates who spent all their time with other foreigners and never used Chinese outside of the classroom. They all flunked out.
3) USE IT! Being in the country of origin in the best opportunity to learn the language. Everywhere are people speaking it, so you can practice speaking or listening everytime you go out. The language is also written everywhere, so you can always practice reading. Despite this being true, I've met people here in China who find crazy excuses not to speak. Talk about a waste of time and money.