Originally posted by: squirtle24
Okay, I was originally inclined to flame like the rest, because your original post comes across as seriously...impulsive and foolhardy. Also, I'm also praying that ATOT is not your only source of info on this matter. Anyway, here's my two cents
1. Are you American? You need a university degree to get a work visa. You might find people who will let you teach English without the degree, but there are a lot of people who
do have degrees who are looking for the same jobs. Translation work...don't know much about that, but if you are not fluent, finding that kind of work is very unlikely.
A visitor's visa lasts 90 days. If you enter the country under this visa and say you are going to work, the immigration guy will most likely deport you then and there. I think in many cases, you have to show proof that you are leaving(i.e. you have to show a return ticket or a ticket that takes you out). Luck, mood, etc have an effect, so circumstances will vary from person to person.
2. I've never heard of a non-Japanese seiyuu. It's not an industry just any foreigner can break into, no matter what your god given talents are. They usually are multitalented and go through tremendous training in specialized schools. I suggest you research this a lot more, because it seems like you don't know what being a seiyuu entails. Have you ever done voice work in the US? If not, why would you think that you can succeed in Japan with no experience? Moreover, being a seiyuu is pretty respectable in Japan. I could see breaking into the industry in the States, but not Japan.
3. Traveling all over. You can't hold a job and travel all over Japan. If you meant that you would travel during vacations/holidays, then yah, by all means. If you think you can simply pick up work wherever you travel, think again.
4. Most people suggest you bring around $4000(US), which gives you a reasonable amount of time to look for work. Bear in mind, people have done this and failed to find work anyway. Sample startup cost:
3 nights in a cheap hotel - 12,000 yen
3 months key money for apartment (one month returnable) - 96,000 yen
First 20 days of rent (moved in on the 10th, 20 days until rent collection) - 21,000 yen
Required apartment insurance - 6,000 yen
Deposit for gas company - 10,000 yen
Four days at about 3,000 yen per day living, traveling, job hunting costs - 12,000 yen
Bed and bathroom stuff (sheets, towels etc.) - 20,000 yen
Kitchen stuff (cleaning supplies, plus pots etc) - 5,000 yen
Another four days of living (reduced my costs here quite alot...see below) - 8,000 yen
Phone line and telephone - 5,000 yen
Basic furniture, tv, and gas range - 12,000 yen
Total - 286,000 yen
That was in one week. This guy managed to find a teaching job, but he had a degree and had been teaching for a year already. You really need to do a lot more research before you actually go. Or before you make a final decision, even. My advice to you is to first get your degree, research, then make a decision. Go through your school's exchange program. Do homestays. If you want to just up and go, you really need at least a degree in order to have a good chance of finding legal work.
Last note, since I just read the last few posts - if you do go, keep your religious beliefs to yourself. Specifically, talking about the imminent end of the world with people isn't going to sit well in any culture.