Considering a move to Japan in a year or two… but I’ve got some worries. Anyone here been through it?

Hey everyone,
I’m seriously considering moving to Japan in the next 1–2 years and I’ve been doing some research, but I still have a few questions that I hope *real* people with actual experience can help answer.

1. I often hear that Japan can be quite xenophobic or not very welcoming to foreigners. Is that true in your experience? And if so, who does this usually come from? Certain age groups or regions?
2. Even if someone speaks fluent Japanese, would they still face discrimination or exclusion just because they look different?
3. How hard is it to find a job if your Japanese isn't great? On the flip side, if you do speak Japanese well, do you actually get better opportunities and pay compared to non-Japanese speakers? (I know this might be a dumb question, but I’d love to hear some real-life stories.) EDIT: I started learning Japanese
4. Are there any smaller cities in Japan that are considered more foreigner-friendly or easier to settle in as a non-Japanese person?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences！