For example, my friend was a potter in England for years so he could show that he was interested in learning Japanese pottery.
That made it possible for him to find a teacher and also helped get the visa.
They dont want people using the cultural visa as an excuse to be here - they need to see a genuine interest and intent.

The Japanese government wont take people's words for stuff they want proof, so the $15,000 would work (if you could show an original bank statement in your name) but a friend offering to pay you each month would not.

Yes, I am sure about all this and I remember Craig going through all this 2 years ago or so.