ItchyKneeSon

The PDF says that, but I just walked in with my wife like I belonged there, showing my US passport on the way in, and nobody said anything. I didn't ask permission or look unsure if I should be there, so I got to wait in the waiting area with her (about 3.5 hours total). Just keep in mind that the official rule is that you can't go in, so don't make a fuss if they choose to enforce it. That doesn't help your wife.
 
Good thing I went too, since the lady accepting the documents gave my wife pushback on the AoS forms not being uploaded to CEAC (even though I had an emailed the embassy explaining that CEAC didn't even give me the option to do it, and I had a copy of their reply saying to just bring the docs), and also was demanding my W2 even though their own website says that in our situation, a tax transcript supersedes any W2. Sometimes they don't know their own rules, and I had to politely but firmly educate them.
 
Of note, we had the same misconception that you do. The Tokyo embassy doesn't really use "rooms" for the interview, it's a lot more like the teller windows at a bank counter. You can go up to the counter with her, but I recommend standing back behind her, as it is very important for her to be the one to be handling the interview. Only answer a question if she is unsure and asks you to help. Do *not* be jumping in to answer questions for her, as that will be a red flag to the immigration officer. If you have the type of personality that always interjects into conversations or answers questions that were asked of other people or likes to control a situation (not criticizing, just saying to be honest about it), then do your wife a favor and let her go up to the interview window alone.

Although it is not important to me, it is not at all unusual for me to have the "last word".  No worries. 😉

It looks like that’s the old rule. The current administration changed a lot of things after all.
If you go to Tokyo Embassy’s website, it states all foreign languages must be translated.

After some more careful reading and making a few calls I've figured it out. Like I said this is all new to me.
1. I am in fact not an employee of the corporation so I will list myself as "Owner" which is what it says on my tax returns.
2. The NVC website asks for a "business license" if you are self-employed AND you are below the poverty line. So I don't need this.
3. My personal tax return does have Schedule E in it. The I-864 instructions say this is required if you are self-employed. So I will send in my full returns in addition to transcripts.

Last 3 years tax return transcripts and copies of 1040 including schedule E.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html
 
- A signed Affidavit of Support from your petitioner and any additional financial sponsors who submitted a Form I-864 on behalf of your visa application.  Applicants may bring photocopies and scanned versions of signed Forms I-864 and associated documents. (Please note that the form must still be signed; typed names and electronic signatures will not be accepted.)
 
if you dont understand, in Adobe there is a way to sign the form by just typing your name.  We did this frequently with our house documents when we were offering and countering until we actually had to sign the bill of sale and mortgage docs.  Also at my work we have an electronic signing pad (as do many retail places) for documents.  Fedex and ups also have electronic signing devices.  These are what's not accepted.  A scanned and printed version of a wet signature is accepted. 

No problem.
Yeah, it's tedious to say the least.
With my successful petition (i-130, IR-1), I sent translations of the following documents:
juri shoumeisho/Cert. of Acceptance of Marriage,
zenbu jikou shoumei/Family Registry Cert.(serving as a birth cert. for my wife),
Notification of Change of Family Registry for me and another for my wife,
both of our Japan driver licenses [showing our current shared residence](I made a template for translation available to the public on Google Docs] ,
2014 Municipal and Prefectural Tax Dues Notice for me and for my wife [showing shared residence from soon after our marriage],
and a card we used to announce our marriage to friends here in Japan because we didn't have a 'traditional' wedding.  All translated by me and certified, signed, and dated at the bottom of each translation.

I'm currently working on putting together the financial and supporting documentation (steps 4 and 5 of the travel.state.gov Immigrant Visa Process).

Feel free to PM me for help or links.
Other than that, attack that beast and stick with it!

I disagree with this.
The I-864 requires the petitioner to be domiciled in the US or enter the US with the beneficiary to establish a US domicile.
The US citizen must have a US domicile when the wife immigrates to the US.
Since the petitioner is doing a DFC and based on his situation, he probably has not established a US domicile. He needs to do this before his wife can immigrate to the US, or he needs to enter the US with her.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3183.html#3
Domicile
Domicile is a complex concept and must be evaluated on a case by case basis. To qualify as a sponsor, a petitioner residing abroad must have a principal residence in the U.S. and intend to maintain it indefinitely. Lawful permanent resident (LPR) sponsors must show they are maintaining their LPR status.
Many U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents reside outside the United States on a temporary basis. "Temporary" may cover an extended period of residence abroad. The sponsor living abroad must establish the following in order to be considered domiciled in the United States:

He/she left the United States for a limited and not indefinite period of time,
He/she intended to maintain a domicile in the United States, and
He/she has evidence of continued ties to the United States
.
FAQs: Domicile

Can a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) petitioner who is not domiciled (living) in the United States be a sponsor?
If the petitioner does not have a domicile in the United States, can a joint sponsor file an I-864?
What kinds of employment abroad can be counted as U.S. domicile?
How can a petitioner establish a domicile?

Can a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) petitioner who is not domiciled (living) in the United States be a sponsor?
No, the law requires that sponsors be domiciled (live) in any of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States.
If the petitioner does not have a domicile in the United States, can a joint sponsor file an I-864?
No, the petitioner must meet all the requirements to be a sponsor (age, domicile and citizenship), except those related to income, before there can be a joint sponsor.
What kinds of employment abroad can be counted as U.S. domicile?

Employment temporarily stationed abroad with the U.S. government
Employment temporarily stationed abroad with an American institution of research recognized by the Attorney General
Employment temporarily stationed abroad with an American firm or corporation or its subsidiary engaged in whole or in part in the development of foreign trade and commerce with the United States
Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a public international organization in which the United States participates by treaty or statute
Employment temporarily stationed abroad with a religious denomination/group having a genuine organization within the United States.
Employment temporarily stationed abroad as a missionary by a religious denomination/group or by an interdenominational mission organization within the United States

There may be other circumstances in which a sponsor can show that his or her presence abroad is of a temporary nature, and the sponsor has a domicile in the United States. The sponsor must satisfy the consular officer that he/she has not given up his/her domicile in the United States and established his/her domicile abroad.
How can a petitioner establish a domicile?
When a sponsor has clearly not maintained a domicile in the United States, he/she must re-establish a U.S. domicile to be a sponsor. The aspiring sponsor may take steps, including the examples given below, to show that the United States is his/her principal place of residence

Find employment in the United States
Secure a residence in the United States
Register children in U.S. schools
Relinquish residence abroad
Other evidence of a U.S. residence

If the sponsor establishes U.S. domicile, it is not necessary for the sponsor to go to the United States before the sponsored family members. However, the sponsor must return to the United States to live before the sponsored immigrant may enter the United States. The sponsored immigrant must enter the U.S. with or after the sponsor.

Another way would be to make a quick visit to the US anytime from when you get you visa until 6 months after your medical. When you get your visa stamped it will become a temporary green card, and you are from that moment a resident of the United States. You can get on a flight back to Norway the same day if you like to, or spend a few days in the US, and go back to finish your business in Norway. You can be away from the US for up to a year, but it's advisable to keep it shorter. If you need 7 months extra time before you actually move to the US, you can first wait 4-5 months, then travel to the US, get your visa stamped and then go back to Norway for a few more months, now as a Greencard-holder.

From what I understand (and I think it's because I read this somewhere here and/or on the USCIS websites) all foreign language documents used as evidence must be fully translated into English and the translator must certify, sign, and date each translated document.
I don't think it will matter where in the world you are, everything has to be in English for the US staff.  

I'm also filing for my wife here in Japan.
All of the required documents in Japanese were translated by me.  Tedious, to say the least, but we've been successful thus far.

@Naes - could you check this out - THANKS!? I tried to put the post NOA2 steps for us Tokyo filers in one place... input / corrections appreciated.  I'm also happy to make a google document that shows each detailed step as I go through the process from I-129 to K1 visa to Greencard and make you the editor if you want (seems like info is all over the place):   NOA2 Next Steps....   Phase 1 (Pre-NVC - things to prep ahead of time): Obtain Police Record They will provide if you show NOA1 or NOA2 (fiance did it with NOA1 so I've confirmed this works) Don't open... will need to submit sealed (copy is already translated) Obtain Birth Certificate (Koseki Shohon 戸籍抄本). Use this template to translate [Need to Find] Question: Anyone have this handy? Have any Japanese person review, sign and write: "" Complete I-134 Affidavit of Support IRS Transcripts for last 3 years https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript Letter of Employment from Job Question: Is it true we can skip questions around listing assets / getting bank letters / etc. if salary 125% over poverty level? Phase 2 (Once NVC Received): Contact NVC via https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html to update your email address as well as your beneficiary's email address. This will give you an email alert when your file arrives at NVC, your case is assigned and when the file leaves for your Embassy. Call 1-603-334-0700 or 603-334-0888 to get embassy case number early or WAIT for it to complete next steps.. Question: Can I schedule the medical exam and start the DS160 once I have this case number or do I need to wait for / have the physical NVC form/package in my possession? Schedule Medical Examination (bring Immunization pamphlet) Options: https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-facilities Complete DS160 @ http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/jp-niv-ds160complete.asap Pick Tokyo as processing post. Create profile @ http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/index.html Pay application fee: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/jp-niv-paymentinfol.asp Submit package via letterpack 360/510 that contains: Sealed Police Report Original Birth Certificate + Signed Translation + Copy of Birth Certificate Two passport pictures DS160 Confirmation Page Copy of Japan Passport Bio Page + Any US Visa Pages Schedule Interview: https://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivapptrequest.html OR http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/jp/jp-niv-appointschedule.asp Complete Medical Evaluation Your visa interview appointment letter, Your passport, Four (4) recently taken passport-sized color photographs (2in x 2in) A copy of your immunization records Should get sealed letter.  Don't open! Trick: Once medical check done mention to embassy that you already have everything ready (medical check, police report, etc.) and ask for earlier date and they usually oblige. Phase 3 (Interview Preparation):
Bring the following documents: Copy of submitted I-129 Package I-134 Affidavit of Support Evidence of ongoing relationship 2 in x 2 in (50 mm x 50 mm) passport photo - white background / no border (print name on back) Sealed Medical Envelope Phase 4 (Post Interview): Not sure yet..

Thank you for asking this, and recently, too!

My mother, the only joint sponsor, also signed the AOS form i-864 in blue ink and sent it to me here in Japan without saying anything.
So, I kind of freaked out when I realized that she did.
The rest of the form has been completed using the Google Docs extension DocHub and was neatly printed in bold, black font.

However, I searched the i-864 instructions for "sign", "black", and "ink" in Adobe Acrobat to see if the signature would cause any problems.
The latter 2 appear only once and adjacent to each other: "How to Fill Out Form I-864 1. Type or print legibly in black ink."
That phrase is iterated atop the actual form i-864, as mentioned previously in this thread.
It says nothing about signing the form in black ink, only "type or print", which would certainly not refer to signing something/a signature.

'Please type or print your signature here.'  <----Sounds like a whole lotta DERP.


Regards,

Itchy

Just reinforcing the previous reply.
I used the free application DocHub (connected to my Google Docs account) to fill out the i-130 and i-864 forms so that everything would be neat and legible.
DocHub offers an electronic signature option.
But, I figured if I'm going to print it and send it, I might as well sign it by hand after I'd given everything a once-over.
Which is good because, per the instructions you quoted, it's apparently a requirement anyhow.


Cheers,

Itchy

Sign up for informed delivery. Probably too late to get notified of the card, but for future use it is invaluable.

Don't bother with the affidavits, they are not required and carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file.  You have plenty of evidence of time spent together in-person, focus on that, that is your strongest evidence.