Welcome back to collecting! It certainly can be overwhelming, I made this guide awhile back to answer common questions: www.elitefourum.com/t/back-into-pokemon-a-guide-for-returning-collectors/13079/1
-
What with internet marketplaces, Yahoo Japan, and the prevalence of Pokemon collecting, I wouldn’t worry about promos/exclusives as they’ll most likely come up for sale. The tough part is finding the lowest-priced way to get them from Japan to where you live.
-
You will only make money opening English product if you open hundreds (if not thousands) of booster boxes that you get at distributor pricing. If you’re just looking for certain cards from a set, buying singles is the best way to go. However opening a whole booster box is a blast, and that enjoyment is basically what you’re paying for.
-
Many people collect both English and Japanese, you should choose what makes you happy.
-
The only difficulty to obtaining JP exclusive items is money. They will come up for sale, it’s just how much you want to pay.
-
Yes they are, just probably at a bit of an increase. BW boxes are quite expensive now, DPP boxes maybe less so, ADV/PCG basically nonexistent.
-
Condition, personal attachment, and value are the main reasons why people PSA grade cards.
Hope this answers your questions!