[Paul11]

Put your money in a bank (like Schwab) that is a money manager. then on-line you can invest in international stuff, US treasury notes. Buy some remitences, send money home and have your folks invest for you. Buy some government savings bonds, if UK has them. right now they should be at a higher rate than CD's or bank accounts. You could buy gold, which has an international value and usually increases. these are just some ideas, and I consider myself rather ignorant of economics, but the older you get, the more you learn.
Sit down with someone involved in banking or investment anywhere. Most people are rather fond of imparting their knowledge when asked because people feel good about feeling like they know something and can help someone. Most decent investment banks have branches in Japan and include free counseling of this nature (Schwab, Merill Lynch. maybo some Brit. companies you are mor familiar with!)