Contemplating an international move is always difficult because there are a high number of factors to consider. The fear of failure or struggle can be overwhelming, but you can make a better decision if you reasonably weigh the challenges and values.
First thing to consider is that Japanese is the national language of Japan, and it is written in Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji and Romaji. What this means is that a full ability to read and comprehend written Japanese will be a difficult task for someone completely unfamiliar with the thousands of new characters involved. Speaking Japanese is completely different from English and even follows a different sentence structure that inhibits direct translation. In Tokyo, English is considered fashionable so it is widely spoken. However, when one travels away from Tokyo or other concentrated areas of Americans, the availability of an English speaker can be non-existent.
Japanese culture is rich and thriving. It should be noted that the Japanese are extremely proud of their heritage and their culture. Though many see Western influences in modern Japanese lifestyles, after living here one quickly learns that these things do not represent a popularity of Western culture. Choosing Japan will be challenging but rewarding.
