i lived in japan for 18 years, so here it goes:
many people know english? as much people that know japanese here in america, so no.
cost of living?expensive as fuck compared to over here. everything is more... humble
pricing of food and clothes? expect to get skinnier and develop a wack style cause of wack selections of normal clothing not ripped off or bootlegged
transportation?take a train that doesnt go anywhere, a bus that crashes all the time, a bike,a car, walk.. theres even an airport to fly you in and out, and docks for ships.
the culture?racist like white americans
the crime - the laws? dont steal, youll get arrested and tortured, graff is just happening, so its not officially there. dont kill, rape, etc. theres little crime, but theres a huge mafia that fuck with everyone and kill people allot.