cloudnine....
errrr obviously i dont work in Japan.....i'm working at my second airline in China. Anyway you said the MAX rent was 4000 RMB. I know for a fact that 4000 RMB will not get you a nice apartment in an ex-pat area. I think in many areas even the higher rents you quoted on your second post are still lower than you can expect to pay if you want to stay in genuine ex-pat standard accommodation. For me i stay in a normal not very nice mostly local Chinese complex, but thats my choice, i just wanted to say if anyone comes here and expects to get an apartment in a complex as you described with swimming pools etc for 4000 RMB they will get a nasty shock as your figure is way off the mark.