>>73500Depends heavily on your consulate/embassy's location. My nearest one was in Detroit, and we had probably a thousand or more applicants trying to get to the interview phase (note, this covered much of the northern/midwest region of states, not just the city). I've also heard horror stories about Toronto's 4,000+ applicants.
In the meanwhile, try and build up reasons for WHY you should be a candidate they would select. Knowledge of Japanese language and culture isn't a requisite, but it certainly doesn't hurt. These people (employers) are looking for people who are willing to fulfill their yearly contract (employees), not flake out after the first month because they'd heard Japan was a cool place, but they really had no idea what they were getting into. Spend some time in Japan on a study abroad course. Learn some of the language and culture. Start working on how you're going to sell yourself, now. No rush, obviously, but certainly doesn't hurt to start early.
>>73504It's...different. Not worse, but for some, not better either. Japanese people really do tend to look at the world as Japanese and non-japanese. Even if you can speak the language flawlessly, chances are, you will never be treated in the same manner as if you were born Japanese.
That said, Japan has a... unique fascination with all things foreign (being white and American is like having pocket aces). While they likely won't treat you the same as they would a fellow Japanese, many/practically everyone will go out of their way to treat you better and think of you as "well, s/he's foreign. Of course they don't know our rules. I'll help." And they will do this forever, not just while they get to know you. Some people look at it as a perk, others look at it as being looked down upon.
