[MMM]

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

My friend and I have been living in America for roughly seventeen years now. After finishing high school, the two of us plan on moving to Japan. We are not sure in which prefecture we wish to stay. However, after moving we are determined to never go back. Which also means we will be changing out names. Providing we do everything right, we wish to become Japanese citizens.

Before you get too many nasty responses let me say welcome to the forums, and let's break down what we are talking about here.

First I would ask you what you are running away from, and what makes you think that won't be a problem in Japan.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

Our main goal for doing this is not to cop-out and live a life of anime and fooling around. We genuinely do not wish to stay in American any longer. After breaking this down, we feel as though there are less opportunities to seek out happiness in this country. By not going to college in America is to ensure we have the money to create an education for ourselves in Japan.

What makes you think what you are looking for is in Japan?

But let's get to the details.

Here are some details we are wondering about.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]Will having only a high school eduction make it extremely difficult? (Ex; getting an apartment/job) I know it will be hard, but not impossible.

Yes. Extremely difficult. Essentially impossible.
Apartments are rented to people with 1) money 2) guarantors and 3) jobs. What you will need to do is find a place like Sakura House which helps put people into apartments. Keep in mind that "roommates" is not common living situation, and often unless you are married you are not going to be allowed to live together with a mate.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]Continuing on that note, would it be hard to enter community colleges?

There are no community colleges like we have in the US in Japan. The closest thing is a junior college which is generally a two-year education. Junior colleges do not have the "open door" policies of American community colleges. You would apply just like applying for a normal university. Also junior colleges are not stepping stones to university like American community colleges. Japanese students don't generally switch schools. I won't even ask how fluent your Japanese is.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]If not a Japanese citizen, can we apply for loans?

Why would you need a loan? If you have a job or some source of income, you will not need a loan. If you do not have any way to pay the loan back, then you will not be able to get a loan.

I think you need to think of how you are going to live in the country legally before you worry about borrowing money. You haven't explained that yet.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]Would having basic to conversational Japanese language skills impair our ability to get a decent job?

Basic to conversational Japanese would be enough for many jobs in Japan. You can wash dishes, dig ditches, vacuum office buildings, etc.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]Should we worry about things like health insurance?

If you are there legally and have the proper paperwork completed, then you will be covered by Japan's national heath insurance.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]What are the rates for shipping items(No furniture) to Japan?

If you can't bring it on the plane, then leave it. Everything you need exists in Japan, and you are not going to have the space for anything more.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*] In addition, we have a cat that neither of us wish to leave behind. Do many apartments allow cats?

Be prepared for your cat to be in quarantine at an Animal Quarantine Service for up to six months. That should give you enough time to find an apartment that allows cats.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

[*]We are incredibly good with English due both of us being writers and poets. If we could teach English in Japan, what schooling on our part would that require?

A university degree is required for most English teaching positions. You could do private tutoring, but that will not be enough to make you a legal. You need to have a student or working visa approved by the government, which means you need to be sponsored by a school or employer. Employers do not sponsor not college graduates, as a rule.

Originally Posted by KyokoRai

Thanks for the help!

You're welcome.