Had to fill out an initial application that was quite basic and factual (must include a photo). If you were deemed an acceptable applicant you are invited to interview at a major city. I was in NYC. It is important to remember that this is a job interview. Many treated it like it was an internship or the like. For example (true story): a girl who applied at the same time with me sent a photo when her hair was blue. At the interview she had it covered but they asked her to show her hair (still blue). Then she went on to say she was interested in ninjutsu and other anime type things. Needless to say, she didn't make it. Take it seriously, it's a job interview as serious as any other.

wirtten personal statement, online application , then face to face interview. Sometimes they ask you to take a simple japanese test too to check your level. The time between applying and finding out you have an interview was about 3 months. After the interview it took about 3 months before ifound out if i had been offered and position and an additional 3 months before I found out where i was being placed.