Student Exchange Programs

I am planning on going to College/University in Japan. I am wondering what i am gonna need like what visa, im going there to study and eventually live there, should i just participate in a foreign exchange program but since i plan on living there i dont think that would be necessary, would a student visa work or a permanent residence? Also what would be the restrictions of the visa’s. also since my japanese literacy skills would be bad although i am studying a bit right now to make going there easier a bit, will japanese unviersities accept me even if i cannot really speak nor understand the language? is there special schools that accept foreigners? I would appreciate if you guys can help me with this, its been a life long dream for me to go to Japan, thank you.