Replacing brake pads is a common vehicle maintenance procedure. They are inspected during warrant of fitness and should be taken as a safety...thing.
Brake pads sit in the calliper and are pressed against the rotor as the brakes press the pots. They are made of asbestos.
The basic principal of braking is that the kinetic energy into thermal energy through friction. Thinking about this, the kinetic energy of a vehicle is a big number, therefore that energy converted into thermal energy in the brakes, is also a big number. The brakes become very very hot and should not be touched after a drive, of even a short distance.
The basic principal of the brake calipers is that it works like G-clamp. As the piston pushes against the rotor on one side, it automatically distributes the force on the other side of the rotor. This is because the caliper can move freely side to side (floating).
A fixed caliper however, does not move freely side to side. It has two pistons on either side and the brake fluid pressure is split to operate both the pistons evenly.
Changing brake pads: On a floating caliper set up (which is definitely the most common set up on Japanese imports) is very simple. Remove the wheel, unbolt the slide pin at the bottom, then pull the caliper piece upwards. It is a good idea to clamp the brake hose so the pistons do not extend. The pads will be accessible on either side. When replacing new pads, make sure to add a bit of grease on the sides and the back side of the pad. Make sure there is no grease on the contact side of the pads. Replace them, and it is recommended to torque the slide pin bolt. If you need to, the pads will come with a sachet of rubber grease for the slide pin. Make sure the slide pin bolt is covering the slide pin properly. 
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