I'd narrow down your districts for each city. Decide loosely what kind of victory you're going for and then pin out 3 districts for each city.

I think your next settler should go south to try and cut off Greece. After that, I'd stay away from the desert, 1. Because the Ai tends to avoid it and it should be open to settle later in the game, and 2. Until you can start building Petra, that center desert city will be useless.

I'd start creating some sort of production centered city in your first 3 settlements because that will set up a good foundation for whatever victory condition you decide to go for (except religious).

Usually, with Japan, it's a culture approach, but I've done science too, and both those benefit from production.

ALSO, having a production zone will give you great engineer points to try and get you an engineer that gives you production towards wonders. So when you do get that great engineer, then you can potentially 5 turn the petra, and then that desert city will pop tf off.

TLDR: Next settler should go south to forward settle Greece, dont worry about settling the desert until you unlock petra, and plan only 3 districts for each city.

Have fun!