Hi people!

I've been wanting to come to Japan for the last couple of years, but haven't mustered the guts to take steps towards doing that until last November. I've been wondering about my chances.....

My profile:
* Java developer (mainly, but also C/C++ and C#)
* 10 years of exp.
* 7 years management exp.
* Worked successfully on mission critical applications
* 30 years old
* Canadian

My weaknesses:
* Only basic Japanese (but will be taking private lessons this spring (2007)
* No "Papers"

My questions:
* I've read about a certification for IT professionals that the immigration people will accept instead of a University degree (forgot the name though). Is that going to do it for acquiring a visa considering also my experience? As a related question, are the Japanese so bureaucratically inclined that they would not consider me without some kind of paper even with my experience, credencials or references?

* Should I take the plunge and move there on a Working Holiday visa (teaching English if needed to sustain myself) and look for work there or is a good CV and a responsive recruiting firm enough? I know this looks like a stupid question (obviously, I should be on site....), but the fact is that I currently have a good position here and I would not want to leave it for nothing (yes I want to go to Japan that bad...). What I mean is, is it a deal breaker not to be there?

* How helpful recruiting agencies can be? Should I even be dealing with them?



Thank you very much!