I don't see how this is worth it given the differences from the tourist visa. Sure it's a "legal" way to work while you're in the country, but the difficulties

I don't see how this is worth it given the differences from the tourist visa. Sure it's a "legal" way to work while you're in the country, but the difficulties that already exist is going to make it not worth it. It's hard finding longer-term housing in Japan as a foreigner, much less doing banking. While it might be a nice springboard to find a job locally, the remote types that meet the income requirements are going to make much more working in the US, so why give that up? If it was at least a year, then it might be worth it. If it also had the option to extend it without having to leave, then it would be very attractive.