There are several on-line groups and forums dedicated to expat issues. One that I know of is: http://www.alloexpat.com/japan_expat_forum/ . You might want to browse that board to see if it answers some of your questions. There are several others. Just google expatriate Japan.

You might also want to check out The Japan Times Online. It is a daily newpaper that is in English and oriented to the English-speaking community in Japan. I particularly like the comics and the "Community" section. They have several advertising features on subjects like language schools and serviced apartments that might be of interest to you.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

JR