[TalnSG]

I would say that some time learning to use chopsticks would be essential study. About on a par with being able to say a few basic words of Japanese, like, yes, no, please, thank you and excuse me. Beyond that I have a few acquaintenances that manage with almost nothing beyond English. But they are in the larger cities. Smaller towns may be a little more difficult with only English, but there is no better way to learn a foreign language than total immersion.