Becoming a Farmer In Japan

Here is the email I am responding to: "Kon'nichiwa softypapa(It's 12 a.m. here right now), My name is Cliff and I'm 27 and I was wanting to know if you could possibly make a video or a message about how a foreigner(me) would go about working or running one of the many abandoned farms you talk about. I've been helping my grandparents and my parents on their farms(here in Louisiana) growing all kinds of veggies and livestock for the last 13 years(we lived in San Diego for my first 14 years. Dad was in the Navy). I've also been taking lessons for speaking Japanese which I'd like to use in more of a translator/teaching role(I was thinking about the military and later a different Government job), but the farming in Japan is just as important and interesting. How much capital would I need before I got there? Would there be a naturalization process, or would it be like a foreign work visa? I'd gladly raise any plants/animals for the local villagers in exchange for a small plot to live on. My grandparents have always tried to instill in me older traditions and I hate to see Japan's younger generation shrug off the older generation's traditions. Any info on this would be helpful. I've been to the Japanese Embassy's site, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' site so far. It doesn't mention the status of one's nationality that I can read, and I would like to stay there as long as is permitted, if not indefinitely, although I'd like to come back to the States as funds would permit me to. Do you know if I can obtain dual citizenship or retain my US citizenship but still naturalize to Japan? If all this was possible, would I as a farmer be allowed to own a hunting rifle/shotgun? Would I be allowed to hunt game animals? I assume fishing would only require a renewable license? If you have any insight to this endeavor, I'd gladly listen. I would also like to say your videos are very well done and very informative. Well, it's late here so I will say oyasuminasai. Laters. Cliff" ---- Here is the link to the WWOOF site: http://www.wwoof.org/ Here is the link to the video "Abandoned Japan Farm" ---- My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I'm available on social media at the links below and can be reached via email at dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/softypapa Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LylesBrother On Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/109050782163582511388/posts Instagram: http://instagram.com/softypapa LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kurt-bell/b/416/754 My blog: http://softypapa.wordpress.com ---- THE PATH OF WILDNESS The Path of Wildness is easy to find The course of a stream Leaves blown in the wind A beast's track through the brush And the direction of our first inclination The Path of Wildness is an answer and response to a prescribed way of life which may leave some individuals with a sense that their living is little more than a series of pre-determined, step-like episodes between birth and death. The stages of living between these events: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood and senior are themselves natural and in accord with the needs of the species and most individuals. Many find their satisfaction in living this course and to these individuals I have little or nothing to say. Others though long for something more; something innate, genetic and seemingly calling. Adventure and change can give a degree of satisfaction and relief yet even these may seem too tame. To those who feel drawn to something beyond the entertainment and stimulation of senses I offer a walk along The Path of Wildness. Don't bother penciling the event in your schedule, preparing a pack with goodies and supplies or even inviting a friend along, for this experience is along the course of your first inclination and you must surely always go alone. Learn more about The Path of Wildness here: http://wp.me/P5A2F-As ==== CHANNEL CREDITS "Dinner by the River" image used with kind permission of the artist Manny Alvarez~EmberDim. If you like his work then please check him out at his DeviantART website at the following URL: http://emberdim.deviantart.com Channel Theme Music "Song For Kurt" used with permission by Nowherians. Discover more about the artist and their music at the following URL: http://nowherians.bandcamp.com/