playing Japanese FFXI

I'm interested in finding out if anyone out there has
played the Japanese version of FFXI? I'm interested in playing it and wondering how difficult it would be.

I have a Japanese PS2 and speak Japanese fairly well, though I live in the United States. I don't have the hard drive and network adapter for my PS2 yet but can get one fairly easily. Likewise with the game itself.

I've heard that you need to register your account with a Japanese address and pay the monthly fees with Japanese money (of course), and I have a Japanese friend who lives in Japan who can do all these things for me.

So, is it possible for me, here in America, to have my friend sign up and play Japanese FFXI online (via my cable modem)?

I hesistated buying the game last time I was in Japan, but I can't wait any longer.

no idea how it works but i know that people int he us and canada are playign imported versions of ffxi as we speak......