[Nyororin]

I think the first thing you need to do is to see which visas you would be eligible for.

In the case of the UK, if you fall within the proper age range, you should be able to get a working holiday visa. It`s not difficult at all to find employment while on the working holiday visa. I have no doubt that if you fit the requirements for a regular working visa you could shift over to that when the working holiday ends. By then you would have had plenty of time to find a secure position somewhere.

As far as specific qualifications for employment - as I assume you do not speak Japanese, your only real bet would be English teaching... And there aren`t really any requirements other than speaking English.

If all else fails, I`m sure you could wing a year with both of you working part time on a working holiday visa.