I have been watching all the videos about Japan and they are really brilliant, I am annoyed I didn't find them earlier. They didn't come up that obviously in my search engine searches - I was using "Living in Japan" as my request....anyway my question is really about the whole translating thing when you get there. I am moving to Japan in a bout 4 weeks and know I will have to sort out the alien registration and other paperwork. I don't know anyone, or speak any Japanese to deal with this paperwork on the ground, so taking a friend along to help translate is not possible. Are there any translator services around - someone who would go with you and help with the paperwork etc??

Hi

Translators are VERY expensive (think $100's an hour.)
You say you are "moving" here..
Does that mean you have an employer?
What sort of visa do you have?

Hi!
Yes I kinda thought they may be. I am going to be on a spouse visa - trailing, I know the company is organising the visa, but I think we have to organise the other stuff - flat, alien reg, schools and anything else we may need...utilites? I am probably over reacting but I kept hearing "you hould take someone to translate" mentioned. I have never actually been there so it all seems a little opaque to me, all my research has been via books, hearsay and the internet. This is the only forum I have come across that actually seems active rather than posts being years old.

Spouse visa.. so your partner is going there on a work visa?
If so, their company should have someone who can help...

Hopefully then if it is that eye wateringly expensive... Thanks Petina for your help. I will wait until I get there and figure it out.