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Ya know, I share a similar dream, except for music, but like my industry, yours falls into the same problems. Because it is almost never ever accomplished (not saying it's not possible) much less even talked about, it's very hard to get accurate information. First off, I have to tell you straight up. it's not easy. it's hard. VERY hard. Japanese laws/diplomatics are becoming real dicks to foreigners. I mean, the people are cool, but the laws are the killers. Not only that, since the industry you want to get into, as well as my own, is already being heavily pursued by Japanese nationals, it'll make it even MORE hard, because of excess compitition. You know, I don't know how many times I've heard your dream (as well as mines) recited. Everyone talks the talk, but 99% of them don't walk the walk. Why? Well, there could be various reasons. One could be that they're already established in their home country. they have a job, girlfriend, debts, etc. or maybe they figured that it's not worth the stress because they found out it's not as easy as they thought it would be. That alone gets rid of about 50% (the number is rising because people are getting lazier as time goes on) of the wannabes. What I'm trying to say is, do very very in depth research. But...after a while, you'll learn that trying to search any industry outside of teaching in Japan, is going to be very difficult. Our industries are the type of industry where you just gotta go out there and see what works and what doesn't. It's one of those things that you have to experience on your own. But...one thing you must realize, is that you must want it. You must want it so bad, that you'd be willing to do anything to achieve your goal. Even if that means being subject to anal probing which they now enforce in Japan to all foreigners wishing to enter their country, as well as photograph and finger printing. Basically, you have to be pretty damn desperate. in fact, you almost have to give up most of your life to research and inproving your skill. Remember, you must always ask yourself, and honestly answer this question;
"What do I have that I can offer to Japanese companies that they cannot take from one of their own?"
Ask yourself this over and over. If you cannot come up with an answer, or your answer is bogus ("because I'm good" or something), then you are not ready to go there yet. Once you can get a legitimate answer to that question, then you can start contemplating things. Also, please remember that originality is very important. It's great to idolize someone (I idolize many music artists), but it's very very important that you create your own style. Don't try to be like someone else. Don't let the fact that if they say it's good, then it's good, or vice versa, decide your career. You have to like your own work with true love, not just "i'm so good" love. You have to honestly be able to look at your work and say "This is very nice". If you have low self-esteem, or you're hella self-conscious, then don't even consider a career like this. You also have to be willing to take critisism. Remember, a lot of people might like you, but not everyone is going to like you. You know what? You should not really worry about the actual manga industry itself. I've learned that it's much more practical to just do research on the Japanese economy and diplomatics. The manga industry is, whether you want to believe it or not, is an industry strongly based on luck. You have to be in the right place at the right time, and you have to have the right mindframe. So it's better to work on your skills and do research on things like visas, real estate, the economy, taxes, your connections with America when you leave, your basic rights as an alien in a foreign country. These things are more important. If you can, stop by the Japanese counsulate, or if you're lucky, visit the Embassy in Washington DC. Also, try to find loopholes in the law, or places where the law is more flexible. But let's face it you DO need to speak Japanese, written and spoken. At least enough to communicate clearly. You should be able to ask more complex questions like "How do you use the .7mm lead pencil get that special shading effect?" or "Does the spray can have to be shaken, or can I just point and spray?". And you must be able to answer these questions should they be posed towards you. Also, you should be able to support a full conversation, so I'd say you'd just have to be near fluent. Also, since you want to get into manga, you have to know at least half of the tens of thousands of onomonopoeias that there are such as ƒhƒJƒ“ (dokan). Do you know what that means? If not, you have some work to do. So, honestly, learning Japanese and your skill of trade is, in itself, a full-time job. So if you already have dedications such as a full-time job, it's better to just stay and keep manga as a hobby. It's better if you're in high school and/or you don't have as much obligations. Just keep trying and believe in your abilities. Try to find as many contests as you can, and enter them. And if you have a few bucks to spare, make some copies of your manga and sell it on the steets. That's a good way to get some attention.
Good Luck!
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