Q: I live in Japan, but my Japanese sucks. How should I proceed?
Mr. Real Person
Tokyo, Japan
A: Well, There are a few ways to make life easier as you learn Japanese, which I assume you are doing. Most importantly, relax. Smile (don't leer, el Creepy). Yes, even if it seems unnatural. Often, when we are in a situation where we are trying to understand something, we don a look of concentration. But in Japan, the fact your wheels are turning may not come across. Instead you look like a vein is about to burst. If you don't understand, just apologize (yeah, apologizing is hard, grow up), and try to explain yourself.
Which leads me to another point. 予習. Yoshuu. Before you go to the post office or the pharmacy, load some of the words into RAM, so if you hear them, you don't have to stand there and cogitate. Practice what you are going to say.
When you talk, speak succinctly. If you aren't smooth, shorter bursts are better than a drawl. If you have't recorded yourself, do it, and work on your pronunciation. Learn the between word jargon (えーと； なんか； あのう）, and practice using them, so they let the person know you are thinking. Don't drag your particles out. Treat them like an extra syllable attached to the word they are defining.
If people don't understand, or if there are problems, don't get frustrated. In a month, it will be a laugh. No one wants to deal with a foreigner that gets angry cause you can't understand them. For years in America, I dealt with foreigners and they figured out how to be calm in spite of occasional communication problem. It wasn't until I came here that I started seeing visitors (unfortunately, mostly my countrypeople) get all bent out of shape at a hapless cashier. Don't take it out on them.
If you carry yourself like you are somewhat sharp, pleasant, and respectful, you will be just fine. And yes, try to speak Japanese. It will make a difference. Imagine if someone walked into your work and started talking in Swahili.