Japan Youth Exchange

The Japan: Youth Exchange Scheme will allow Japanese citizens aged between 18 and 25 (discretion up to 30) to come to the United Kingdom for an extended holiday for up to 12 months. You should intend to work here as part of your holiday. There is a quota of 400 participants each year. A person may only come to the UK once as a participant in the scheme.

Providing you meet the following requirements you will be able to come:

you are a Japanese national currently in Japan
you are aged 18 to 25 (Discretion may be used to allow you to enter on the scheme up to the age of 30. This will only happen where you can show that there are good reasons (eg. Care of relative or ongoing studies) which have prevented you from travelling before your 26th birthday)
you want to come to the United Kingdom for an extended holiday, with the intention of taking work as part of your holiday
you are single or are married to a person who also qualifies under the scheme; if married you must intend to come to the UK together
you will not be accompanied by children
you will not need help from public funds
you can pay for your onward or return journey; and
you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your holiday

If you don't intend to work or don't have a realistic chance of finding the type of work you want to do, you are not likely to qualify.

How long can I stay?
You can only stay in the United Kingdom for 12 months as a participant in the scheme. We will count any time you spend outside the United Kingdom during that period as part of the 12 months.