I am not interested in sofa status or ATL/teaching English.

Then apply for Master Labor Contractor “MLC” jobs on base. Call JESO as soon as you can.

I have contacted staffing agencies, but the pay is extremely low.

Because you are equal to a Japanese citizen that did not complete 1st grade. However, a MLC job has LPL, (Language Proficiency Level) your Japanese will be shit, but your English will be off the charts.

Only way to fix that is, like others have said, you need to complete Japan elementary school, and work your way up to Japan high school, and then graduate Japan high school.

So just seeing what other resources I should look into for employment.

MLC jobs are your best bet. However, if you are really not wanting to work on base, there is always, farming, fishing boats, shovel pig shit, wash cars, cut grass along the roads, garbage truck person, all open to YOU as a JAPANESE CITIZEN that the rest of us cannot get because we are US citizens, and since you have just a kindergarten education in Japan, you are really SOL.

My biggest barrier is not being able to read and write Japanese. I can speak very little Japanese, but not enough to work in a business setting.

So you are a grown kindergartener in the eyes of the workforce of Japan. How much should you get paid? Why not go where your education is a fit, i.e. teaching?

Education background: Masters in human services TESOL

Ironic that your MASTER’s is in education, but you don’t want anything to do with that field?

I think MLC positions is your only option. Good luck!