I agree that finding a job with a Japanese company if you're not fluent in the language is nearly impossible. Unless, of course the "skill" they're looking for is English in particular (ie: teaching). Most of the non-teaching, non-execs I know here are involved in some kind of technology -- mostly computers. That's an area where technical skill (or experience, if you're supporting a particular product) can win out over the language barrier. Still, better than half of the techie ex-pats I know were sent here by a foreign company as opposed to hiring into a Japanese company.

Best bet for someone with a marketable technical skill: get a support job at home with a company that has a growing presence in Japan, build up some experience supporting a specific product, and then make it known that you'd be interested in working in Japan for a while.

But... that said... it appears that some companies are cutting back on the benefits. I managed to get an American friend over here to take my place when I changed jobs but in order for him to land the position, he had to agree to transfer as a local employee, which means no housing or other perks. He still gladly took the job but he's living in the suburbs now, like the rest of us dweebs.