[Sangetsu]

If you are a foreigner attending school in Japan, the school doesn't technically "sponsor" you. They merely provide a form to immigration which says you are enrolled there, and the terms of your enrollment. Getting such a visa is not difficult. Working while attending school is possible with a permit, and such a permit is no harder for a foreign student to get than it is for foreign students who wish to work in America or other countries.

Before taking the plunge and moving to Japan, you have to think about your situation objectively. What kind of work are you qualified to do? And how much will that pay in Japan? In most circumstances, the pay for the same or similar job will be more in America than in Japan. Without a degree, you'll be lucky to find a job in Japan which pays more than 1000 yen per hour, and these low-paying jobs will require a certain amount of proficiency in Japanese.

If you are coming to Japan because of your girlfriend, that is something else to think about. It is very easy to get married in Japan, it takes less time than the wait for a hamburger at Tokyo McDonald's during lunch time. Getting married is one thing, however, getting a spouse visa is something else. As I said in a previous post, you will not qualify for a spouse visa unless your wife makes enough money to support the both of you. If she doesn't, then you'll have to have her family sponsor you (provide they can prove they have the income to support you).

In any event, you will need to make enough money to support yourself and your wife, and handing out fliers for 5000 yen per night will scarcely pay for train, rent, and food for that day. If you don't have the skills, experience, or ability to get a decent paying job after you arrive, then you shouldn't come in the first place. You should wait until you have such skills, experience, or ability.

Teaching English is usually the quickest way for a foreigner to get a decent paying job in Japan. It typically pays about 3000 yen per hour, which isn't spectacular, but will allow you to live in relative comfort. You won't find a job on a military base that pays as much unless you are a military retiree, or have a professional degree.

In most cases, teaching English in Japan requires at least a 4 year degree, and 95% of foreign teachers have such a degree. You can get by the degree requirement by having 3 consecutive years experience as a teacher in your home country. You will need to provide proof of experience, by presenting tax returns or employment contracts. You can also teach without a degree if you have an TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA certification from a certified college. Unfortunately, most of these schools require that you have a degree before you can take these courses, but some make exceptions for those with excellent English ability and knowledge.