Moving to Japan; need better language skills

So I recently found out that I will be moving to Japan sometime early next year for work related reasons.

I do speak a little Japanese and know enough to get around without too many problems (I hope)... But I have to be honest, I'm absolutely terrified. I've started Rosetta Stone and I'm up to Unit 5 on Level 1 and I have yet to learn something new/useful.

People who are native speakers of English and are now fluent in Japanese, how did you learn the language aside from going there?

I want to get A LOT better at it before I actually go. Not fluent, but I'd like to be able to hold a semi-decent conversation.

Also, I fucking suck at kanji. (I think I know somewhere between 200-250.) I'm reading Heisig, but is there anything else I could be doing for that?

I'm sorry, but I'm horrified of going to live somewhere for 2 years where I can't talk to people outside of work. (I know I had the option of declining, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up)


tl;dr I'm moving to Japan in 6 months. How can I drastically improve my language skills before then?

You could try mixi.jp. You'll need an invitation, though. Sort of like a Japanese facebook.

There's also www.penpal-net.info which is completely free with no invitation needed or anything.

There's plenty of Japanese who want to improve their English, hopefully they'll be willing to help you with Japanese in return.