Everyone in Singapore knows you'd have to attain a COE when buying a car. For Japan, you'd need a COE too before you can get in. This COE (certificate of eligibility) allows you to apply for a long term working VISA. You wonder why they have to call a VISA eligibility letter a COE; it kinda makes you feel like a Honda Jazz trying to get onto Singapore roads...
I got my COE in the mail from the agency a few weeks back. It's rather exciting to know that I'm almost all ready to go. It's a bit of a hassle however, to run by the embassy and apply for that VISA. I read that upon arrival in Japan, you would also require an immigration officer to grant you landing permission. whassup with that??
FYI you would only need a VISA if you are staying in Japan for more than 3 months. That's what I've read from the Singapore Japanese embassy website anyway. (http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp).
