Just a few more months, when GST comes in effect tax probably only 6% I think. I dont know if figures are classified as toys.
Exceptions (higher tax) i think only apply to luxury stuff, alcohol, cigarettes, etc
I wouldnt want to live in Japan, earthquake > all your figures gg.com. As for work, i wouldnt be stupid enough to stay up at workplace beyond working hours. Love your job, but not your employer. Family, stress & health management is more important.
For long vacations (like, stay there for a month) and then slowly take time visit various places would be very nice though, if u have the money. While i sure want to go to Tokyo and Akihabara, i's like to visit places like Kyoto and Okinawa as well.
Like some ang moh /western people, they travel to cambodia, vietnam, thailand, m'sia, s'pore, 1 by 1 country, each for 1-2 weeks, over the span of 1-2 months.

The issue is that food price in Japan itself is already a killer, their standards of living among the highest in the world.
Yea, the cost of living and stress from work are by far greatest dream killer.
Earthquake.....well, with some idea maybe can handle it, like super glue figures onto wall ?