Hey dude and welcome.
I recommend reading through all the threads on the forum much of what you need to know is here.
As for "considering additional employment"...
There isn't really a "just cruisin'" visa so you will need to be a bit more motivated than that..
Again, look through the visa threads and all the others and you will get the idea..
The Japanese government want to see that it is worth their while having an American (I am guessing) family move here.. what you can do or contribute.. before they give you any visa.
Americans often feel that they have a right to live anywhere in the world that they wish.. but that is not the case, sorry.
Often some useful links on these pages too.