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Perhaps the easiest way to work in Japan is to “Teach English in Japan“. For most countries all you have to have is 4 year university degree. Other countries you can get away with a working holiday visa.
Since I am American I had to have a 4 year degree, and the subject doesn’t really matter. My major is in Asian Studies (Sociology) which relates to Japan but not to teaching English. I guess the Japanese government figures that if you can get a degree it kind of weeds out a lot of people.

Here is my advice for working in Japan:

Before you get to Japan
1. Get a 4 year degree
2. Take some Japanese classes if possible (Not necessary but makes life easier)
3. Save some money. It’s better to go with a nice chunk of change then to go broke. I would recommend as much as possible but at least $1000-$2000 USD. If you have to get your own apartment then you will need a lot more!
4. Decide why you want to go and what you want to get out of it. For example, learn Japanese, get teaching experience, start a company, network, meet chicks, party, etc.
5. Research the company you plan to work for, and ask people who are currently working there or have worked their in the past. Make sure your source is credible, and not some hater or company fan boy.
6. Bring a notebook computer if at all possible. I recommend a Mac but a PC will do as well.
7. Get a mobile the day you land! Trust me the internet in Japan is a mobile one and it’s the best way to communicate and network.
8. Japanese is not usually business casual. Bring some ties and shirts and a couple of blazers just in case. Also it’s super hot and humid in the summer so have some short sleeved shirts too.
9. Get an electronic dictionary or paper back.
10. Bring some grammar and English teaching books.
11. If you are a “big & tall” kind of person you should probably bring a lot of clothes since Japanese are “small” people.
12. Bring your deodorant of choice since Japan doesn’t usually have western style brands, if you can find any at all.

Once you are there:
1. Most jobs pay monthly in Japan, so I highly recommend that you live the simple life for the first month or two. Save a little so you are not starving a week or two before payday. I am not saying don’t enjoy yourself but don’t waste all of your money payday weekend.

2. Open a bank account at the post office along with one at a regular bank.

3. Always carry about 10,000-20,000 yen with you. (It’s just something I figured out while living there for 5.5 years)

4. If at all possible get an apartment that is not linked to the company you work for. Either get a studio (1R) or a small 1 bedroom (1DK or 1 LDK). I recommend finding a cool roommate and finding a cheap place so you can split the rent. This is where I ended up saving the most money. I shared a small house with a buddy of mine and we each paid like 40,000 yen a month including utilities and 2 parking spots!! Before I was paying like 55,000 yen for 1 room in a company apartment with sometimes good and sometimes bad roommates.

5. Get a bicycle.

6. Get some Japanese Friends! Don’t just hang around with English speakers!!

7. Take Japanese classes.

8. Whatever your usual hobby is, do it in Japan too. This will help you meet a lot of people. For example: photography, cars, bikes, computers, music, etc.

9. Go to the international center of the city or town you live in. There are lots of resources.

10. Get internet ASAP.

11. Use SKYPE to call home.

12. Buy food that wont go bad for the week before payday when you don’t have any money. I used to buy a bag of rice, instant curry, pasta, pasta sauce, frozen things, miso soup, etc.

13. Start a blog and post pictures and articles about your life in Japan. That way your friends and family can just check up on you there. Or use Facebook, Myspace, or whatever other social media site you like. I think a blog is best though.

14. Don’t forget to pay your taxes!! Ask someone that works at your company about that. You pay a kind of estimated taxes in Japan. Well at least at my old company they didn’t take out taxes. It will creep up on you and you will have to pay over a 3-4 month period like a car loan. Just pay it, it’s not worth the future hassle if you try to avoid it!

15. Go exploring on your days off. Hit up all the local attractions first and then keep going farther until you have seen all you wanted to.

16. Go to a Japanese Baseball Game, Concert, Temple, Shrine, Sumo Tournament, etc.

17. Watch Japanese TV to help with your language learning and so you have a general idea of what is happening.

18. Try all kinds of new and unique food.

19. ……..More to come later.