I'd feel comfortable investing ~$50k to start off.

Hey, the house would be worth 140k and I would pay 110k.

I am not preticuarly brand new to real estate as I've done 1 house flip before and 1 brrrr here locally to me.To begin, I’m aiming to tackle two single-family BRRRR projects in the Jackson County, MO area.

Quote from @Andrea Lucarelli: I’m interested in beginning my REI career with purchasing a SFH or condo in Cleveland area (safe neighborhood) to list as a furnished rental for travel medical professionals, supply corporate housing needs, or house temporarily displaced families for insurance companies.  

You are investing for return on capital. 

I am active duty military and plan to use the property for deployments/holidays for my family to stay near relatives until I separate in 4 years, then to use that property as one of several future investment properties.

Are there any house at that price point that would rent for $1200-1500/ month with 20k worth of updating?"

Consider putting the property up for sale and get your life back on track, then try investing again.

There are actually quite a few Americans investing in real estate in Japan, but more I think that invest only in the US.  

After that initial down payment, the bank will basically be financing your investments.