PC building for gaijin

[ScaryMonkey]

So, I've been getting the familiar itch for a new computer lately :) ; This time around I'm thinking I'll try my hand at building my own. I've been reading around on the net and there seems to be a lot of good advice about what kind of components to use, how to do it, etc. Thing is, I live in Japan, and my Japanese isn't quite to internet-browsing level yet. So, here's my questions if there is anyone knowledgeable about this:

1. If I'm buying components here, will there be any language problems if I want to install an English OS? e.g., if I buy a motherboard will the BIOS setup be in Japanese?

2. Is the selection of components roughly the same? If I go out to Akihabara with a shopping list will I be able to find most of what I need from manufacturers that I recognize?

3. Am I potentially missing out on the opportunity to get much cooler newfangled stuff if I am working off advice geared towards people stateside?

Any other related advice would also be highly appreciated! Thanks!

[DigitalJ]

I'll admit right now that I'm not certain of anything I'm about to say, since I've never been off this continent :)

However, unless you find that buying parts from local retailers is massively cheaper, there's nothing stopping you from buying them from newegg, tigerdirect, or any of the other english speaking retailers. And I would assume that regardless of the language used in manuals and such, the components themselves will operate the same way. I would also assume that while the BIOS descriptions would be in a different language, you'd still be able to find your way around if you understand the whole BIOS thing.

Socket types, RAM pin numbers, AGP, PCI-E, and all that other good stuff are industry standards, so you shouldn't run into too much of a problem.