There's a way to go to Japan legally, and fully paid.

By chance I found out about the MEXT scholarship/Mobusho, which basically funds foreigners to study in different levels in Japan. Ever since I came down here to Honduras, I had been looking like crazy to find opportunities to leave, and by chance, (because someone in the same university I'm in told me) I found out that the Jap. Gov was giving out scholarships.

Depending on the level of study, you take a series of test based on what you want to study, and an interview. In my case, I'm planning to study engineering and so I have to take a Math, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Japanese test.

They are pretty strict and even coming late to anything would give them a reason to reject you. I've seen some previous test also, and I think they are pretty hard, especially because I think the English in it is a bit different that what I'm used to study with (the first time I read them, I couldn't figure out the instructions of the questions...).

There have been some successful people in Honduras at obtaining the scholarship, and I hope I do too. Although, let me give my two cents about the whole thing in Japan:

In Japan racism is not necessarily against the law so be ready to be discriminated in cruel ways. For example, in some places you might not be able to open bank accounts, because there's this trust issue of the Japs with foreigners. So even renting a place to live might be a big hustle.

There are places you won't be able to get in just because of your race, most commonly in bars where they might have a sign that says: "Only Japanese from this point on", or "No foreigners here", or "We don't service foreigners" (in restaurants also).

There was also an article about this head of the department of education or such..(I can't remember where it was...)...but the thing was that the guy made a comment about why the USA had lower test scores compared to them because the US had more "Blacks and Mexicans". It was pretty stupid and lame, and I think he quit...if I find the article I'll post it.

Also, the cultural shock one should strongly put into account. You see, one might imagine all these situations but it's soooo different once one faces them. I say that because when I came back to Honduras I thought I was ready, but really, one never is. It's terrible how one has to deal with things out of one's "common sense" and work against them because that's how things work outside the US. I know there are a lot of practices in Japan that I'm not necessarily used, so I have already thought about going there in more than twice. I mean, sometimes they can be little details, but trust me, they can built up, and once one is out of the US, there's no way back (or a least for some long time).