DJWS

There are 4 clinics in japan specialized to the exam(2 in tokyo, 1 in kobe, 1 in naha). 
My wife called the kobe clinic which is actually located in the hotel.
She called to schedule an appointment the moment we found out we passed the NVC stage, but still didn't have a scheduled final embassy interview since there is a lag when NVC contacts tokyo embassy to find a interview slot.  
She didn't need a letter the moment she called to schedule an interview.  However, you must bring the letter on the scheduled date of your medical exam.
 
Our timeline:  Found out we had a case complete from the  NVC  in late july. Called immediately to schedule medical appt in late aug using our best guess that our tokyo embassy appt will be in Sept.
early mid aug found out our tokyo embassy appt was in early sept.  We called the clinic to reschedule.  The receptionist wasn't too happy doing the reschedule.
Wife brought the letter along with her vaccine records and a paid envelope from 711 to the clinic on the date of the exam. We got the exam results in the sealed envelope approx 5-7 days later so keep that in mind if you have a tight window between medical exam and embassy interview.
 

Info found on https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Step_4_Collect_Financial_Documents.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Supporting_documents.html
 
I'm filing for I-130 with similar questions and this is what I found so far:
social security statement:  only needed if you are submitting I-864W
petitioner documents:  see links above

My wife is Japanese and we got married in Japan last year.  We went to the local city hall office and got copies of our japanese marriage certificate 
Kon-in Todoke Juri Shomeisho
koseki tohon 
koseki shohon as proof.  
also printed out embassy and nvc reciprocity page that explains the use of koseki in japan.
 
We didn't use any notary, just translated the documents ourselves line by line to match the original format and sent it to USCIS, and are now in the NVC stage.  `We also included screenshots of a one page collage of whatsapp/line/facebook chat and pictures, some airline tickets and passport stamps showing we traveled together.

Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska. I'm looking at Visa Journey Timeline's and it's saying they are processing applications from Nov 27. What is going on? I really think it's unfair to those who have been assigned to NSC to have to wait upwards of three months longer than other service centers.
 
Our lawyer called up Nebraska to see why they do not expedite applications that are filed abroad. Other service centers do! They HUNG UP on him! The stories coming out of Nebraska are quite frankly shocking. I cannot believe they are allowed to be so rude when our application fees are paying their salary! Does it really make sense to process an application for a person inside the US before families who are suffering tremendous financial hardship?
 
According to the latest timeline this means to process a i130 in Nebraska is taking EIGHT MONTHS. How is this reasonable? When I shared this information with Americans while visiting my spouse they said that was ridiculous. It's costing our family upwards of $3,000 in living expenses every single month this goes on for. An extra 3 months we are talking over $10,000 it will cost us compared to those who are in other service centers. How is that fair? It's even more ridiculous a person cannot wait out the process inside the US with their spouse. Especially if they are from a low fraud country! Nobody understands the logic behind all of this. My spouse's next door neighbor however met a girl from Australia and she got to stay inside the country not having to file abroad. How is that fair? I've been married to my spouse for almost 10 years and the whole process is going to have cost somewhere over $50,000!!
 
If our application was at another service center our application would be approved or be about to. I honestly think the Consulates abroad should be expediting appointments in accordance to how long a person is waiting for their i130. Like if you are stuck in Nebraska you should get your Visa appointment first. I guess all we can hope is for a transfer or for that center to get their act together! Very frustrating!

It takes about 1-2 weeks for them to receive your case. I called NVC today and a rep stated 6 weeks but USCIS said it should take about a week.
 
Check the NVC doc in my signature for phone numbers, timelines and next steps.  

That's how it begins.  After you make your payments it will show after paid when you submit your documents and is been accepted it will go back to n/a. This will also happen with the IV as well.  

Just received the emailed NVC Welcome Letter and standard checklist on 3/25/17.  
We haven't sent in the AOS and IV packages yet BUT CEAC website is already showing N/A's. 
 
Did we frontload enough documents in our I-130 application to USCIS that NVC decided they had enough information?
I assumed that it's only AFTER you send in the AOS and IV packages that it becomes N/A on ceac website. 
 
From what I've seen in the forum, usually case closed occurs when you log onto ceac site and see :
AOS support fee goes from "Paid" to N/A  (We have "in process")
Affidavit of support documents & Financial Documents gets N/A   (We have N/A without sending anything to NVC)
Civil Documents gets N/A (We have N/A without sending anything to NVC)
IV Application gets Completed (We have N/A without sending anything to NVC)
IV Fees get paid (We have pay now)