For the specific Crew contract members defined below, is the salary considered foreign earned income?
Specifically for those members who are allowed to legally stay in Japan after the work period.
I am not talking about any company sponsored VISA. I am directing this question at folks who legally remain in Japan during their non-contract/off period (e.g. married to Japanese citizen and the US member has spousal resident VISA).
It's good you aren't talking about any company sponsored VISA as they don't offer any type of that.
As far as your tax question, again, don't ask on here as we really aren't qualified to answer those questions. I can only tell you my situation as a US citizen working here. I have an apartment and have a tax professional in the US who does my taxes. I do claim the foreign earned income exclusion.
What you do is between you and your tax person.