This is my day job. (I make most of my money from bingo cards, supplemented with the odd consulting gig. That underwrites development on AR and all my other assorted wasting time on the Internet activities.)
Prior to April 2010, I worked at a Japanese megacorp. There were a few reasons for that. A sample: I owed my bosses for sticking their necks out for me, it makes visa issues easier (next renewal going to be... interesting), I lacked confidence that I could do this full-time prior to having part-timed it to the point where it was already successful, etc.
There are a couple of options for that: spousal visas and permanent residence would be unrestricted.
I'm on an engineering status of residence (what Americans would call a visa). In a few months I get to do a song and dance describing why it is in Japan's interest that the examining clerk find that careful application of the relevant regulations requires that my status of residence be renewed. There's a plan B and C, obviously, but it isn't costing me sleep at night.
Prior to April 2010, I worked at a Japanese megacorp. There were a few reasons for that. A sample: I owed my bosses for sticking their necks out for me, it makes visa issues easier (next renewal going to be... interesting), I lacked confidence that I could do this full-time prior to having part-timed it to the point where it was already successful, etc.