I keep reading everywhere about "no chances getting a job if you don't..." etc. I don't know if this is an exception or not, maybe a one in a million chance, but I do know of a guy who dropped out of school and left for Japan, didn't speak a word of japanese, married himself to a visa in something which was probably a half-hearted scam marriage, he got his work permit and was hired at a respectable, high profile establishment in Tokyo where he for years apparently spoke english only to japanese customers. This sounds like a complete impossibility but it's a true story. Maybe anyone has a similar example.
I'm not saying I support this kind of opportunist behaviour but if you're ruthless, shameless and outgoing enough you might be able to pull it off. If you're the neurotic, perfectionist or shy type however, probably impossible.
I just wanted to bring this example up because apparently, many people think these kinds of things are impossible.
Some people, usually low educated people dreaming of Japan as a way to escape their failures at home, become like cancerous tumors which keep growing back and will find a way to keep themselves above the water in Japan and even live their entire lives there. The people at immigration authorities probably hates them, the police probably hates them, but they don't care. It's like pouring water on a goose. They aren't even ashamed to have their girlsfriends being the economic power factor in a relationship. It's shameless to the core but it apparently works. Just saying.
As for the girls, I'm not surprised. The same phenomenon in England or Sweden would be a 35-year old salsa dancing, well educated woman going to Cuba to find a man who doesn't speak a word english or swedish and will give her pleasure in life. There's also a category who only dates middle-eastern men.
If you have no shame and can look yourself in the mirror everyday, you can make a life for yourself in Japan through stubborness. It's a proven fact.