This is all very encouraging.
Thanks for the further clarification James. You mentioned that you eventually started your own school. Is there a good source of info (website?) available for what's required to start your own business in Japan? Any tips you can give to someone thinking about that route (eventually)? Is your business just you teaching in the local coffee shop? Or do you have a building, employees, etc.?
(I seem to have hijacked the OP's thread. Should I start another? My questions are still more-or-less related. I think.
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Thanks!
Greg