it's only an issue if you're outside the big cities. I spend a pretty significant amount of time there, my minimal japanese has gotten me around on the country

it's only an issue if you're outside the big cities. I spend a pretty significant amount of time there, my minimal japanese has gotten me around on the country side too. but moving there would mean dealing with the local government bureaucracy like registering with your local city to pay taxes, which is still very foreigner unfriendly (though they are trying to improve it)