MonkeyBoy wrote:
> I'm all set visa-wise and secure enough financially to coast for at
> least several months if need be.

What is several? I would normally suggest having enough funds to
support yourself for at least 6 months, but then I'm more conservative
than most. When I stopped being a regular employee (1999), I thought I
had enough funds to last for over 2 years. But shit really does happen.
Initially I was OK, but then I increased my overhead. At one stage in
2001-2002 my net monthly income was minus 560,000 for nearly 18 months.
White eyed terror.

> My question to you guys is, any advice on who I can consult in terms of
> taxes and such?  I'm looking for the names of actual people/companies
> (bilingual preferrably).   Offhand, before I proceed even considering
> this seriously, how much, percentage-wise, should I factor into paying
> into taxes, unemployment, healthcare, etc.?  (Just in general figures).

For the first bit, seriously consider joining either a foreign chamber
of commerce (I don't know your nationality, but if Tokyo area then Nth
America, the EU, Australasia are covered) and the local chamber of
commerce (probably Japanese only, so only relevant if your language
skills are up to scratch - skip them if not). Even if they don't lead
to any business contacts, the CofC's are very good for getting answers
to all the above questions and introductions.