[LawrenceT]

I live in Kyoto, so the situation of Tokyo is probably different. Please keep in mind that Tokyo is a bigger city with more expats.

Even though your job doesn't require Japanese skills, it is definately easier and enjoyable for you to live in Japan if you understand basic Japanese for most of the Japanese do not speak English and many of the documents, like health insurance, electricity gas bills, various application forms, are written in Japanese. If you have someone who can help you when you arrive in Japan, there would be no problem. Also, I suppose there is something like an international center where expats of various backgrounds can meet.

As for the prejudice against foreigners in general you mentioned, I'm inclined to say it is more about unfamiliarity of Japanese with foreigners. Think of it this way. A japanese who has never spoken to non-Japanese person (there are a lot of them, esp. old people) and s/he one day encounters a group of foreigners on a bus. S/he may get puzzled a bit and asks themselves, "how should I behave?" Is it alright to sit next to them? Should I ask if I may sit? (Oh, but they may not understand Japanese....) Something like this. This seeming prejudice arises from their concerns about social code of your country. They are too concerned to offend you.

However, there are more serious issue which may well called prejudice and should be corrected. For example, you will be surprised how many landlords do not want to rent rooms to foreigners. And I see this landlords' atitude depends on your nationality.

Since you mentioned girls and having relationship, let me write a little about this. It is basically just up to you. And I don't think younger generations do not frown upon foreigners nor their boy/girlfriends. Japanese now in their twenties or younger are much more open-minded than those in their forties or fifties. Though, sadly, they may have strong images of you "country" and at first they may see you as something like a typical English. It may take a while for them to see you as a person not a country. You may hear them say, "Well, he is British, so probably he doesn't want to do...." It is a stumbling block when you want to be a part of a community. But always, you can find more open-minded ones. This is just about their personality, how they see other people.

Make the most out of your stay in Japan! Good luck. There is always a solution. Just take it easy, and be slow to form your opinion of people you meet in Japan and keep looking for nice friends.