For Americans:
1. ANY 4 degree from ANY accredited 4 year institute (3 year degree if you're from UK, etc.) (a college or university) -- again in any major/degree/study..
2. Teaching degree is not necessary
3. If you are a native English speaker and are here on a student visa you can still find a job. The pay may be less, but you are legally employable.
4. You do not have to been born in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. For the visa you'll need the passport and have native English speaker skills.
Question from one of you:
What about a teaching certificate but no degree?
My answer: NO!
------------
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2221.html
For USA tourists and short term visa info.
http://japan.visahq.com/
http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/Japan-visa-faq.asp
-------------
http://www.eslemployment.com/articles/teaching-english-in-japan-365.html
-------------
For 英会話 students:
http://tinyurl.com/actionteacher
-------------
My blog:
http://gimmeabreakman.com
-------------
Language blog:
http://maggiesensei.com
-------------
For students:
http://tinyurl.com/Japanesemoronstudents
-------------
For Flakers:
http://tinyurl.com/jointhemoronarmy
-------------
My facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gimmeabreakman/299475321600
-------------
My other channels:
http://youtube.com/gimmeabreakman
http://youtube.com/victorintheworld
http://youtube.com/gimmeabonedog
http://youtube.com/japanesefoodchannel
http://youtube.com/partnerisland
http://youtube.com/actionteacher
-------------
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/maggiesensei
http://twitter.com/gimmeabreakman
http://twitter.com/japanese4morons